Ongoing expansion plans spell
opportunities for BMS professionals
The biomedical sciences industry is showing no signs of slowing down as major
players forge ahead with their expansion plans in Singapore.
The biomedical companies have set their sights on the opportunities in Asia.
Globally, they have been consolidating – acquiring new technological capabilities
and adapting new business model through mergers and acquisition to trim costs
and improve research and development. These efforts are made in preparation to
tap on the growth opportunities in our region.
With a rising Asian middle class and a rapidly ageing population in the region,
demand for affordable, quality healthcare solutions are increasing. Within
Singapore, the pharmaceutical companies are ramping up operations to expand
their manufacturing capabilities.
Amgen opens next-generation biomanufacturing facility in Singapore
American pharmaceutical giant Amgen opened a $200 million biomanufacturing
facility at the Tuas Biomedical Park in November 2014. This is the company’s first
manufacturing site in Asia and it is planning a second facility which Amgen will start
building by the middle of this year. They are projecting an increase in headcount
from the current 70 to 200 in the coming years.
The Amgen plant boasts new technology that enables greater speed, productivity
and flexibility in the production of biologic medicines and is able to save on water
and energy consumption. This Next Generation Biomanufacturing facility while
smaller than conventional plants (about 75 per cent smaller) can produce the same
quantity – about a tonne a year.
AbbVie expands manufacturing capabilities in Singapore
US drugmaker AbbVie announced in 2014 that they would be constructing a
US$320 million bulk biologics manufacturing facility that is expected to be
operational in 2019. This is the Chicago-based company’s first manufacturing
presence in Asia. The facility will provide manufacturing capacity for emerging
compounds within AbbVie’s oncology and immunology pipeline to serve markets
globally. It is expected that more than 250 staff will be required to run the biologics
facility.
HOT JOBS
Contact Singapore invites you to embark on a
rewarding career in Singapore’s Biomedical
Sciences industry. Click on the job titles below
to know more about each position.
Alternatively, visit our job portal
www.contactsingapore.sg/ for other career
opportunities in the Biomedical Sciences
industry.
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QC Manager
Regional Submission Specialist
Supply Chain Head
Technical Centre Head
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Associate Manufacturing
Quality Assurance Manager
Senior Engineer
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Manufacturing Engineer (USP/DSP)
Senior Validation Engineer
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Analytical Chemist
Mechanical Engineer
QC Specialist
Senior Quality Validation Officer
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Manufacturing Biotechnologist
(Cell Therapy)
Project Engineer
QC Analyst – Microbiology
Scientist – MSAT (Upstream)
Senior Analyst QC
Senior Lead Quality Assurance (Biologics)
In addition to building their own facilities, AbbVie also acquired an API plant in Tuas
in November 2014. This plant will expand AbbVie’s operations for small molecule
manufacturing. This site is expected to be fully operational by 2016.
Novartis biotechnology site to be fully operational by 2016
Novartis is no stranger to the Singapore biomedical industry with its Institute for
Tropical Diseases, the Novartis Asia-Pacific head offices and two productions
facilitates for Alcon (the eye care subsidiary of Novartis) and a pharmaceutical
manufacturing site. Soon to be added to its technological competencies is a USD
500 million biotechnology facility that broke ground in 2013. It is expected to be
completed by 2016.
Novartis chose to build this state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in Singapore to
take advantage of its strategic proximity to Asia’s exploding biomedical markets.
The new facility will focus on drug substance manufacturing based on cell culture
technology, adding to the vibrancy of Singapore’s growing biomedical sciences
industry.
With the expansion of these biologics companies in Singapore, the industry
continues to look promising in 2015. This spells great opportunities for
professionals with background in biomedical sciences, bio-engineering, chemical
engineering, chemistry or applied chemistry.
Check out the hot jobs column for immediate vacancies in some of Singapore’s
leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing plants.
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Biotechnologist (Upstream Processing)
HVAC Engineer
Process Expert
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Academic Research Manager
Senior E&I Engineer
Senior Manufacturing Supervisor
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Instrumentation & Electrical Engineer
Process Safety Engineer
Project Engineer
ABOUT CONTACT SINGAPORE
Contact Singapore is an alliance of the Singapore Economic Development Board and Ministry of Manpower. We engage overseas Singaporeans
and global talent to work, invest and live in Singapore.
Contact Singapore actively links Singapore-based employers with professionals to support the growth of our key industries. We work with
investors to realise their business and investment interests in Singapore.
For information on working, investing and living in Singapore, please visit www.contactsingapore.sg or contact our worldwide offices.
ABOUT SINGAPORE
In the heart of Asia lies Singapore - a bustling, world–class city state that has made waves around the world for its business excellence,
connectivity to the world and its innovation.
Singapore has been consistently acknowledged as a global business hub - one that features developed infrastructure, political stability, open
business policies, a skilled workforce, the use of English as the main working language and respect for intellectual property rights. Many
multinational companies have chosen to set up their bases in Singapore, next to 154,000 small and medium enterprises. Business owners all
over the world regard Singapore as an ideal location to grow their businesses, with many of them using the country as a springboard to tap
into other emerging markets in Asia.
Besides being ranked in the World Bank 2013 Report as the world's easiest place to do business (out of 185 countries), Singapore has,
among its many accolades, the top ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 by the World Economic Forum as being the most
competitive economy in Asia. Singapore was also ranked by the Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey as the top Asian country for its quality
of life.
Global talent are attracted to Singapore's meritocratic society that embraces diversity, and a high quality of life in a cosmopolitan
environment.
To access this flyer online, please visit: http://www.contactsingapore.sg/eCareers/BMS/Feb2015