AstraZeneca to build billion-dollar ADC manufacturing site in Singapore

The British-Swedish drugmaker has announced plans to build a US$1.5 billion facility in Singapore for the manufacturing of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) to complement their existing cancer drug portfolio. 

AstraZeneca has started the week off strong by announcing their intentions to construct an ADC manufacturing facility in Singapore, which will be supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). The greenfield facility will be the drugmaker’s first end-to-end ADC production site with fully integrated manufacturing processes at the commercial scale. ADC manufacturing requires a multi-step process, including antibody production, synthesis of chemotherapy drugs and linkers, the conjugation of the drug-linker to antibodies, and filling of completed ADC substance. The facility is intended to streamline the ADC manufacturing process for AstraZeneca. 

Chairman of the EDB Png Cheong Boon comments, “We welcome AstraZeneca’s decision to establish a manufacturing presence in Singapore for the first time. It will also be a first for AstraZeneca – an end-to-end manufacturing facility for novel antibody–drug conjugates that enables precision therapy for cancer. This greenfield investment is a strong show of confidence in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and talent, strengthens our ecosystem in supporting the development and manufacturing of precision medicines, and creates meaningful jobs and economic opportunities for Singapore. We look forward to a successful partnership with AstraZeneca.” 

AstraZeneca currently maintains a portfolio of in-house ADCs, with six wholly owned clinical ADCs and more in preclinical development. The pharmaceutical giant will also work with the Singaporean government to offer green solutions at the ADC facility. It will be designed to emit zero carbon from the first day of operations. Design and construction of the facility is set to start at the end of the year, with manufacturing operations to begin in 2029. 

Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s CEO, states, “AstraZeneca has built an industry-leading portfolio of cancer medicines, including antibody–drug conjugates, which have shown enormous potential to replace traditional chemotherapy for patients across many settings. Singapore is one of the world’s most attractive countries for investment given its reputation for excellence in complex manufacturing, and I am excited for AstraZeneca to locate our $1.5 billion ADC manufacturing facility in the country.” 

Source: 

AstraZeneca plans $1.5 billion manufacturing facility for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in Singapore [Accessed May 21, 2024] https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/astrazeneca-to-manufacture-adcs-in-singapore.html