David Brill
Singapore is set to produce GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)’s new pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, following the opening of a S$600 million manufacturing plant in Tuas.
Commercial production of the vaccine, which protects against diseases such as bacteremic pneumonia, meningitis and acute otitis media, is expected to begin in 2011.
The new plant is GSK’s first primary vaccine manufacturing facility in Asia, and only the second site in the world to manufacture the pneumococcal vaccine, after Belgium.
It is also one of the first centers in Singapore to produce biologic drugs – a considerably more complex process than manufacture of non-biologic agents. Four other biologics production plants are under construction in Singapore, and five more have been announced.
“The burden of childhood pneumococcal diseases is considerable and every year around 1 million children under 5 years of age die from pneumococcal infections,” said Mr. Emmanuel Amory, vice president, global industrial operations, GSK Biologics. “This plant is part of GSK’s commitment to ensure maximum availability of this life-saving vaccine.”
The pneumococcal vaccine protects children against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Nontypeable Hemophilus influenza – two of the major pathogens responsible for pediatric illnesses, particularly in developing countries.
The opening of the plant in June by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong marked the 50th anniversary of GSK’s business in Singapore – an investment which now exceeds S$1.5 billion and sees over 1,000 staff employed here. The company already has two other production and supply centers in the city-state.
GSK’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Witty also announced the establishment of a S$30 million endowment fund to support graduate students in healthcare policy and green chemistry. Singapore’s Economic Development Board will add a further S$20 million, bringing the total fund to S$50 million.
Commercial production of the vaccine, which protects against diseases such as bacteremic pneumonia, meningitis and acute otitis media, is expected to begin in 2011.
The new plant is GSK’s first primary vaccine manufacturing facility in Asia, and only the second site in the world to manufacture the pneumococcal vaccine, after Belgium.
It is also one of the first centers in Singapore to produce biologic drugs – a considerably more complex process than manufacture of non-biologic agents. Four other biologics production plants are under construction in Singapore, and five more have been announced.
“The burden of childhood pneumococcal diseases is considerable and every year around 1 million children under 5 years of age die from pneumococcal infections,” said Mr. Emmanuel Amory, vice president, global industrial operations, GSK Biologics. “This plant is part of GSK’s commitment to ensure maximum availability of this life-saving vaccine.”
The pneumococcal vaccine protects children against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Nontypeable Hemophilus influenza – two of the major pathogens responsible for pediatric illnesses, particularly in developing countries.
The opening of the plant in June by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong marked the 50th anniversary of GSK’s business in Singapore – an investment which now exceeds S$1.5 billion and sees over 1,000 staff employed here. The company already has two other production and supply centers in the city-state.
GSK’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andrew Witty also announced the establishment of a S$30 million endowment fund to support graduate students in healthcare policy and green chemistry. Singapore’s Economic Development Board will add a further S$20 million, bringing the total fund to S$50 million.
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