AbbVie Acquires API Mfg. Site in Singapore

AbbVie has acquired a small molecule API manufacturing site in Singapore’s Tuas Biomedical Park, expanding its global operations for small molecule and biologics. AbbVie’s first manufacturing facility in Asia, the 120,000 square meter site increases capacity for compounds in its immunology and oncology pipelines. It includes a contained API facility, additional buildings, and ancillary equipment. The API facility is expected to be fully operational by 2016.
 
AbbVie will also construct a bulk biologics manufacturing facility on the property, which is expected to be operational in 2019. The combined facilities will add more than 250 new employees, including positions across manufacturing, technical operations, administration, quality, IT and supply chain. The company is also renovating its small molecule facility and hiring for multiple positions.
 
“The Singapore site will help to strengthen our global manufacturing capabilities, offering a higher degree of flexibility and scale,” said Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., senior vice president, Operations, AbbVie. “The facility will support new technologies and the growth of our pipeline in immunology and oncology, helping us to address significant unmet medical needs for patients around the world.”
 
AbbVie’s current operations in Asia include R&D functions in Tokyo, Japan, and Shanghai, China, as well as commercial operations throughout the region. AbbVie expanded to new commercial premises in Singapore in July and is increasing its presence there as a regional hub.