MSD is set to inject an additional USD 500 million into its existing Singapore manufacturing operations with two new facilities to produce vaccines and biologics. One of the new plants will turn out MSD’s immunotherapy for cancer and its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for the Asia-Pacific region.
The reason we [came to Singapore] is [because of] what Singapore offers. World-class workforce, a political environment with a government that understands the value of partnership, R&D (research and development) and technological capabilities that allowed us to really grow the business and hopefully continue to make an impact in the world.
CEO and president Robert Davis
With the announcement of two new facilities in Singapore for which MSD has committed to spending USD 500 million over the next 5 years, the company continues to bank on its existing manufacturing footprint there, which began in 1997 and has already seen investments totaling USD 2 billion.
The new plants will be located within MSD’s 29-hectare manufacturing hub in Tuas with the first housing a semi-automated vial-packaging line to produce Keytruda, MSD’s immunotherapy to treat certain cancers, and fully automated syringe-packaging lines to manufacture its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil 9.
These newly-produced vaccines are set to supply the Asia-Pacific market, linking this more localized production to MSD’s carbon neutrality by 2030 goal. “The fact that we’re moving these facilities to Singapore to supply Asia actually has an enormous impact on sustainability because otherwise, these same products are coming from Europe and the United States,” said David Peacock, MSD’s president for Asia Pacific.
The second facility will manufacture next-generation inhaler devices for targeted administration. Combined, these new plants will create 100 new jobs, according to MSD, and bring the company’s total headcount in Singapore up to 1,800+ over the next few years.
MSD had expressed its commitment to Singapore, one of its largest hubs outside of the United States. “The reason we [came to Singapore] is [because of] what Singapore offers. World-class workforce, a political environment with a government that understands the value of partnership, R&D (research and development) and technological capabilities that allowed us to really grow the business and hopefully continue to make an impact in the world,” said CEO and president Robert Davis at the launch ceremony.
