AstraZeneca to establish $1.5B ADC hub in Singapore

AstraZeneca has revealed plans to enhance its precision oncology portfolio with the establishment of a new production facility in Singapore. This facility, with a significant investment of $1.5 billion, will focus on manufacturing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The initiative is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board and marks AstraZeneca's first manufacturing site on the island, as well as its inaugural end-to-end ADC production plant.

Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca, highlighted Singapore's attractiveness for investment, citing the country's excellence in complex manufacturing as a key factor in their decision. The design and construction of the facility are expected to commence by the end of this year, with the aim of achieving operational readiness by 2029. AstraZeneca also emphasized that the facility will be built with sustainability in mind and will operate with zero carbon emissions from the outset.

AstraZeneca's ADC lineup is spearheaded by Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), developed in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo. Enhertu recently received FDA approval as the first tumour-agnostic ADC. Another promising ADC in AstraZeneca's portfolio is datopotamab deruxtecan (dato-DXd), a TROP2-directed ADC also co-developed with Daiichi Sankyo, which is currently under regulatory review in both the United States and the European Union.

In addition to these key drugs, AstraZeneca’s pipeline includes several other ADC candidates in various stages of clinical and preclinical development. Notably, this includes an ADC asset acquired from La Nova Medicines last year.

The new Singapore facility is poised to play a crucial role in AstraZeneca’s strategy to expand its capabilities in the field of precision oncology. By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, the company aims to enhance its production capacity for cutting-edge ADC therapies, which are increasingly seen as a promising approach in cancer treatment due to their ability to target cancer cells selectively while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

The decision to establish the facility in Singapore underscores AstraZeneca's commitment to leveraging the country's robust infrastructure and expertise in advanced manufacturing. The collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board further strengthens this initiative, providing a supportive environment for the company’s ambitious plans.

Overall, AstraZeneca's new production facility represents a significant step forward in the global fight against cancer. By focusing on innovative ADC therapies and ensuring sustainable operations, the company is set to make a substantial impact on the healthcare landscape, offering new hope to patients worldwide through advanced, targeted cancer treatments.