SINGAPORE, Sept. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE:
ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, today strengthened its
manufacturing capabilities by opening the small molecule active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility of its Singapore manufacturing site. This facility
supports the growth of AbbVie's oncology and women's health
pipeline and reflects progress from AbbVie's two previous
announcements for manufacturing investment in Asia in 2014.
The new 120,000 square-meter site – located in the Tuas
Biomedical Park – is AbbVie's first manufacturing facility in
Asia and will also include a
biologics manufacturing facility that is expected to be fully
operational by the end of 2018. Combined, the API and biologics
facilities represent a $320 million
(more than S$400 million) investment
in Singapore that will employ more
than 250 new employees, the majority of whom will be hired locally
in Singapore, including skilled
positions across manufacturing, technical operations,
administration, quality, information technology and supply
chain.
"Our goal as AbbVie is to assure patients around the world have
access to new and innovative medicines when they need them and
where they need them," said Azita
Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., senior vice president, operations,
AbbVie. "Today, with the opening of the first phase of our
Singapore facility, we will
further strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and continue to
enhance our support of AbbVie's pipeline in the therapeutic areas
of oncology and women's health for patients around the world."
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Site Director Marc O'Donoghue, Ph.D., added, "Singapore is recognized as a leader in the
biopharmaceutical industry and AbbVie is excited to open its
facility and begin operations. Singapore has a robust infrastructure, a
highly educated and skilled workforce and provides a supportive
environment for manufacturing. Our presence in Singapore establishes AbbVie's footprint in
Asia and provides geographic
balance in AbbVie's manufacturing network to ensure continuity of
supply."
"AbbVie's choice of Singapore
for its first in Asia
manufacturing facility is testament to our capabilities as a
high-quality, global biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub. Given our
track record of providing a world-class business environment and
skilled talent pool to companies, we enable companies such as
AbbVie to develop and manufacture innovative products to deliver
value for patients worldwide," said Ms. Weng Si Ho, director, biomedical sciences,
Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). "EDB will continue to
commit strong investments in talent, infrastructure and technology
to support the strong growth in the biopharmaceutical
industry."
AbbVie's manufacturing network now includes 13 locations across
the United States, Europe, Asia
and Puerto Rico, as well as
strategic partnerships with third-party manufacturers.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company
formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The
company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and
unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced
therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious
diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics,
AbbVie employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and markets
medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on
the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit
www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our
Facebook or LinkedIn page.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered,
forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others,
generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that
these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to
intellectual property, competition from other products,
difficulties inherent in the research and development process,
adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and
regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information
about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and
other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in
Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2015 Annual Report on Form
10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any
revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent
events or developments, except as required by law.
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SOURCE AbbVie