20 May 2024
AstraZeneca plans $1.5
billion manufacturing facility
for antibody drug conjugates
(ADCs) in Singapore
Operationally ready by 2029, it will be
the Company's
first-ever facility to cover the full
manufacturing process for ADCs
AstraZeneca intends to build a $1.5 billion
manufacturing facility in Singapore for antibody drug conjugates
(ADCs), enhancing global supply of its ADC portfolio. ADCs are
next-generation treatments that deliver highly potent
cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through a targeted
antibody.
The planned greenfield facility, supported
by the Singapore Economic Development Board
(EDB), will be AstraZeneca's first end-to-end ADC
production site, fully incorporating all steps of the manufacturing
process at a commercial scale. Manufacturing of ADCs is a
multi-step process that comprises antibody production, synthesis of
chemotherapy drug and linker, conjugation of drug-linker to the
antibody, and filling of the completed ADC substance.
Png Cheong Boon, Chairman, EDB said: "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."
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer,
AstraZeneca, said: "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."
AstraZeneca has a broad portfolio of
in-house ADCs including six wholly owned ADCs in the clinic and
many more in preclinical development.
As part of AstraZeneca's commitment to driving
sustainability in healthcare, the Company will work with
Singapore's government and other partners on green solutions for
the ADC facility. This facility will be designed to emit zero
carbon from its first day of operations.
AstraZeneca aims to begin design and
construction of the manufacturing facility by the end of 2024, with
targeted operational readiness from 2029.
Notes
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery,
development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in
Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including
Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory &
Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over
100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of
patients worldwide. Please visit
astrazeneca.com
and follow the Company on Social Media
@AstraZeneca.
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Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC