Singapore Emerges as Asia's Leading Biopharmaceutical Hub
Singapore has become a top destination for biopharmaceutical companies looking to expand globally. Over the past 20 years, Singapore's biopharma exports have surged from $0 billion to over $14.27 billion in 2022, with more than 80 pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing plants employing around 24,000 people.
The country's advanced technological infrastructure, highly skilled talent pool, global interconnectedness, and focus on innovation make it an attractive location for top companies like Amgen, GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, MSD, Novartis, Roche, and AbbVie. These firms have set up production bases in Tuas Biomedical Park, which has purpose-built spaces and laboratories.
Amgen's Singapore facility is a prime example of the country's capabilities. The company invested over $400 million in its production base and currently employs more than 350 staff members. Amgen's next-generation biomanufacturing plant adopts highly efficient manufacturing processes, reducing water consumption by 58%, electricity consumption by 78%, and carbon emissions by 76%. The facility also utilizes semi-autonomous robots and augmented reality/virtual reality wearable devices to enhance productivity.
Singapore is not only a hub for US biopharma companies but also attracts Chinese firms. WuXi Biologics, a Chinese company producing raw materials for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, plans to invest $1.4 billion over 10 years in setting up a research and production facility in Singapore. This will create an estimated 1,500 jobs.