Genentech, Inc., has planned to set up a commercial-scale microbial-based biologics manufacturing facility in Singapore. It will be the first microbial-based facility in Singapore. The plant will be spread across 8.2 hectares of land and when fully in operation, the facility will provide 1,000 litres of capacity for the production of E. coli derived products. Construction of the plant is expected to begin in 2007 with the license expected in early 2010.
The microbial-biased biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility will be located in the Tuas Biomedical Park in Tuas View, the westernmost tip of Singapore.
The total investment of the plant is estimated to be approximately around US$ 140 million.
The plant will have 1,000 litres production capacity of E. coli derived products. The facility is mainly intended for the manufacturing of bulk LUCENTIS® (Ranibizumab injection). It is used as a cure for a wet age-related macular degeneration.
