SINGAPORE: Pfizer’s new S$1 billion (US$743 million) expanded facility in Tuas will create over 250 “highly skilled jobs” including roles in production, quality and engineering.
The extension of the company’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing facility at Tuas Biomedical Park opened on Tuesday (Jul 23).
It will produce various small molecule APIs for Pfizer’s oncology, pain, and antibiotic medicines to markets across the world, the company said in a media release.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said the state-of-the-art facility will enhance Pfizer’s small molecule manufacturing capabilities in Singapore.
“It incorporates the latest manufacturing technologies, enabling the production of novel and life-saving drugs from Pfizer’s future R&D pipeline. It will also feature flexible and modular manufacturing, as well as integrated smart factory capabilities,” he added.
“This extension is expected to create over 250 high-skilled jobs, providing Singaporeans with good, meaningful career opportunities.”
Pfizer currently employs about 400 workers in another facility.
Employment in Singapore’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector has more than doubled in the past two decades, with more than 9,000 employees presently, said Mr Gan.
“We look forward to working closely with partners such as Pfizer to grow the bench strength of talent in the sector,” he said, adding that this will be achieved through industry scholarships such as the Industrial Post-graduate Programme and leadership development initiatives.
“All these efforts will support our aim to be a leading global hub for companies to innovate, manufacture, and commercialise solutions across the care continuum.”
Additional reporting by Chloe Teo.