New facility is part of SGD80 million vaccine development and manufacturing hub in Singapore
Singapore, 22 February 2022: Hilleman Laboratories, an organisation with a mission to develop affordable vaccines and biologics against infectious diseases, today 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. 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 SGD 80 million (USD 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’ 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.
Hilleman Laboratories was established in 2009 as an equal joint venture between MSD, a global researchdriven pharmaceutical company and Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation dedicated to human and animal health. Hilleman Laboratories’ mission is to develop affordable vaccines and biologics against infectious diseases that affect low- and middle-income countries. The company’s expertise in end-to-end product development is targeted at creating novel vaccines and biologics in areas of high unmet need as well as adapting existing vaccines and biologics with more effective delivery tools to meet challenging environments in developing countries. Hilleman Laboratories also seeks to collaborate with local, regional and global partners and stakeholders, including policymakers and governments, to facilitate wider, affordable access to life-saving vaccines and biologics.
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