The new facility is part of a S$80 million vaccine development and manufacturing hub in Singapore.
Hilleman Laboratories, an organisation with a mission to develop affordable vaccines and biologics against infectious diseases, broke ground on a 30,000 square foot current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility at 138 Depot Road as part of its official launch in Singapore on February 22. The ceremony was graced by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore and was also attended by members of the Hilleman Laboratories Board of Directors, namely Chairman Mr Sanat Chattopadhyay, Dr. Gerd Zettlmeissl, Professor Gagandeep Kang, and CEO Dr. Raman Rao, as well as representatives of Hilleman Laboratories’ partner organisations.
The cGMP facility, together with an existing research and development (R&D) facility at Biopolis, form an S$80 million (US$58 million) vaccine and biologics development and manufacturing hub, the first of its kind in Singapore. The hub will provide end-to-end product development solutions from concept to cGMP and Phase II clinical development, supporting the development of affordable, high-value vaccines and biologics for Singapore as well as low- and middle-income countries using innovative technology platforms. Expected to be fully operational by early 2023, the cGMP facility will supply clinical trial materials up to Phase II stage, and has been designed to pivot to manufacture vaccines for Singapore’s use during pandemics.
“This is a major milestone for Hilleman Laboratories as we embark on our next phase of growth. We look forward to building strong partnerships with stakeholders across the vaccine development landscape with Singapore as our headquarters. We are also committed to supporting the enhancement of local capabilities in vaccines and biologics development to shore up Singapore’s defences against disease outbreaks, particularly those with pandemic potential,” said Dr. Rao.
“Hilleman Laboratories’s new facility is a welcome addition to Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem and is in line with our efforts to strengthen capabilities across the biopharmaceutical manufacturing value chain. With its focus on early clinical development of vaccines and biologics for diseases that exert a heavy burden globally, the new facility will enhance Singapore’s status as a global hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and stand us in good stead to meet national needs during future pandemics,” said Ms Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President, Healthcare, Singapore Economic Development Board.
Hilleman Laboratories plans to hire up to 50 scientists, engineers, and managers locally, in addition to its current staff. It will offer training and career development opportunities to strengthen domestic expertise in the development of vaccines and biologics in compliance with global regulatory and quality standards. [APBN]
Source: Hilleman Laboratories