Mr Lim Hng Kiang at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Lonza Biologics Singapore’s Biologics Manufacturing Facility

SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR LONZA BIOLOGICS SINGAPORE’S BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING FACILITY AT TUAS BIOMEDICAL PARK ON WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2006, 10:45 AM

His Excellency, Dr Daniel Woker, Swiss Ambassador,

Mr Stefan Borgas, CEO, Lonza;

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the groundbreaking of Lonza Biologics Singapore’s new bulk biologics manufacturing facility at Tuas Biomedical Park.The relationship between Lonza and Singapore goes back to ten years ago, when the company invested in a plant in Jurong Island to produce Purified Isophthalic Acid (PIA) for the global market.

Lonza is widely recognized to be one of the leaders worldwide in contract manufacturing of chemicals and biomolecules.This US$250 million facility, which is a joint venture with Bio*One Capital, EDB’s investment arm for biomedical sciences, is Lonza’s first biologics investment in Singapore.It is also Singapore’s first commercial-scale biologics manufacturing facility, and marks yet another milestone in Singapore’s development as a strategic global manufacturing site for the biomedical industry.

Lonza’s project serves as a strong endorsement that our efforts to enhance Singapore’svalue proposition for biologics manufacturing are on the right track. Broadly, these efforts are in two key areas:

The first is to develop the continuum of capabilities in Singapore to support companies in the entire range of activities from bioprocess research, pilot-scale manufacturing to commercial-scale manufacturing.

a.For bioprocess research, the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) plays a key role in conducting research in areas such as expression engineering, animal cell technology, microbial fermentation, downstream purification and analytics.The BTI also houses Bio-preneur labs within its research facility to host companies who have research collaborations with BTI.

b.For pilot-scale manufacturing, A-Bio Pharma, a homegrown biologics CMO (contract manufacturing organisation), has a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) 200 and 500 litre scale mammalian cell culture facility for the production of monoclonal antibodies and other protein therapeutics.Since it started operations in 2003, A-Bio has built up an impressive track record with major global pharmaceutical clients.

c.Lonza’s commercial-scale biologics manufacturing investment in Singapore thus completes the entire spectrum of biologics manufacturing solutions that are available in Singapore for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies looking to outsource their requirements.

Secondly, for companies looking to invest in their own biologics manufacturing facilities in Singapore, we have expanded our technical manpower pool through a comprehensive range of training programmes.

a.Our goal is to provide on-the-job training opportunities for at least 100 young Singaporeans per year in bioprocess research or biologics manufacturing.BTI provides an internship programme where science and engineering university graduates are equipped with the specialised knowledge and practical skills in areas such expression engineering, cell culture, downstream processes, analytical techniques and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).In addition, EDB supports Singaporeans to undergo on-the-job training with major companies involved in biologics drug development and production all around the world.

b.For in-curricula training, our local universities, polytechnics and the Institute for Technical Education have established rigorous courses and programmes to provide their students with training in biologics manufacturing and bioprocess research.Together, these institutes produce approximately 1,900 technicians and 600 university graduates a year, who would have had undergone at least one module of biologics-related training.

cIn addition, companies looking to set up biologics manufacturing facilities in Singapore can tap on our established pool of more than 28,000 trained and experienced engineers and technicians from related industries such as food processing, chemicals and semiconductor manufacturing.Their experiences in process technology and working under highly‑regulated manufacturing conditions make this manpower pool a valuable resource for biomedical companies.

Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences initiative has made good progress since the year 2000.With an output of S$18 billion last year, our Biomedical Sciences cluster is already the third largest Manufacturing sector after Electronics and Chemicals.I am confident that our commitment in attracting more biologics manufacturing projects will grow this further.Bio*One Capital’s strategic investment in this facility is an integral part of this commitment.

Conclusion

In closing, let me congratulate the management and staff of Lonza Biologics Singapore on the groundbreaking of your new bulk biologics manufacturing facility.You can be assured of the Singapore government’s full support for the smooth start-up and implementation of this very strategic project.

Thank you.