GSK Opens First-In-Singapore High Potency Manufacturing And Testing Facility For Next Generation Cancer Treatments

• S$44m investment in the new high potency manufacturing facility and laboratory further strengthens Jurong site capabilities to launch new products more quickly
• Facility will manufacture a key ingredient for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)

GSK plc today announced the opening of a new, S$44M high potency facility (HPF) in its strategic New Product Introduction site in Jurong, Singapore. The opening of the facility was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Singapore’s Minister for Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, and Mr. Regis Simard, GSK’s President, Global Supply Chain. The HPF will be used to produce a key ingredient, which is a cytotoxic component, in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat cancer. Today’s event also marks 40 years since the Jurong site opened in Singapore in 1982.

“GSK’s new facility in Jurong is a positive step as we continue to spearhead innovation in our supply chain to impact health and lives in Singapore and worldwide,” added Mr. Regis Simard, President, Global Supply Chain. “With new capabilities to handle high-potency components effectively, we are in a good position to explore new frontiers in oncology and embark on a new era of manufacturing and delivering breakthrough cancer treatments.”

“The opening of GSK’s new facility demonstrates how global healthcare companies can tap on Singapore’s world-class infrastructure and talent to deliver innovative new products,” said Ms. Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board. “We look forward to deepening our long-standing partnership with GSK, as we work together to transform the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector and create good jobs for Singaporeans.”

“JTC’s ability to facilitate GSK’s expansion today is a testament to Singapore’s advanced industrial planning and infrastructure readiness to support business growth. GSK’s new facility exemplifies our vision to anchor strong ecosystems in our industrial spaces,” said Mr. Tan Boon Khai, Chief Executive Officer, JTC.

This facility is the first in Singapore capable of producing highly potent cytotoxic ingredients in ADCs, for breakthrough immunotherapy cancer treatments. It is equipped with advanced features such as specialised equipment, automated operations, exceptional containment capabilities and strict cross-contamination control. It is built to facilitate complete in-house manufacturing to safeguard supply chain processes, quality control and timeliness of delivery. It also features leadingedge capabilities to handle high potency manufacturing under a highly safe and controlled environment.

With the addition of the HPF, GSK has further strengthened the Jurong site capabilities as a New Product Introduction (NPI) site to launch new products more quickly. The capability to produce high potency components at scale helps to meet the increasing demand for oncology treatments around the world.

About ADCs
Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which may damage healthy cells, ADCs are targeted biopharmaceutical drugs that deliver chemotherapy agents to cancer cells through a linker attached to a monoclonal antibody that binds to a specific target expressed on cancer cells¹. After binding to the target, the ADCs release a cytotoxic drug to eradicate cancer cells¹.

About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. For more information, visit at gsk.com/company.

¹ Pettinato M. Introduction to Antibody-Drug Conjugates [published online October 27, 2021]. National Library of Medicine. 2021. Doi: 10.3390/antib10040042. Accessed October 2022