Mr Lim Hng Kiang at the groundbreaking ceremony of Lonza Biologics’ 2nd Commercial-Scale Biologics Manufacturing Facility in Singapore

SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF LONZA BIOLOGICS’ 2ND COMMERCIAL-SCALE BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SINGAPORE ON Thursday 29 MAR 2007, 10.45 AM AT TUAS BIOMEDICAL PARK

His Excellency, Daniel Woker, Ambassador of Switzerland,

Mr Stephen Kutzer, Head of Biopharmaceuticals, Lonza,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.I am very pleased to be here today for the groundbreaking ceremony of Lonza’s secondcommercial scale biologics manufacturing facility in Singapore. This joint venture between Lonza and EDB’s Bio*One Capital involves a total investment of US$350 million and will employ about 350 staff when the project is fully realised.

As one of the world’s leading and most respected contract manufacturing organisations, Lonza is a familiar name in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.This new investment marks a significant expansion of Lonza’s existing manufacturing footprint in Tuas Biomedical Park.I remember the groundbreaking ceremony for Lonza’s first biologics manufacturing facility here, which took place in February last year, in the plot of land just across the road.When I was informed about this second facility, I was very happy at how quickly Lonza had decided to expand its operations in Singapore.This repeat investment clearly underscores the strength of Lonza’s partnership with Singapore.

Singapore’s Growing Biologics Manufacturing Base

Many of you would have read this morning’s newspapers about Genentech’s plans to set up a microbial manufacturing facility for biologics in Singapore.Including GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccine manufacturing plant, Singapore has attracted four significant commercial-scale biologics manufacturing investments within a period of less than two years. All of these projects are a strong endorsement of Singapore as a choice site for world-class biologics manufacturing activities.

The strong interest in biologics stems from the fact that a significant proportion of the global biomedical sciences industry’s future growth is expected to be driven by biologics drugs.At present, 25-35% of the world’s yearly approved drugs are biologics.This number is expected to grow significantly in the next few years.Given the importance of the biologics sector, Singapore is actively building capabilities in research, development and manufacturing.

Building Manpower Capabilities in Biologics Manufacturing

In preparation for the biologics wave, Singaporehas invested significant resources over the past five years to train skilled manpower in support of this sector.On this front, Singapore has put in place three key initiatives.

Firstly, in the area of in-curricula training, our local universities, polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education have established rigorous academic programmes that provide students with a sound foundation in biologics manufacturing.Together, our Institutes of Higher Learning today produce approximately 3,500 university graduates and 3,000 technicians every year from in disciplines such as life sciences, biotechnology, chemical engineering and pharmacology.These institutes are in close contact with the industry through regular discussion forums and industry representatives on their advisory boards, to ensure that their academic programmes meet the industry’s high standards.

Secondly, in addition to basic in-curricula training, we have put in place industry-specific training courses to equip the Singapore biomedical sciences workforce with specific practical skills and in-depth knowledge of biologics manufacturing.Companies can leverage on these courses to train their employees locally, before proceeding with company-specific training.For example, the Bioprocessing Technology Institute under our Agency for Science, Technology and Research has a comprehensive bioprocess internship programme focusing on areas such as expression engineering, cell culture, downstream processes, analytical techniques and Good Manufacturing Practices.In addition, we are working with our Institutes of Higher Learning to set up a hands-on training course for company employees and students to acquire the practical techniques of running a biologics manufacturing facility.

Thirdly, we encourage on-the-job training by supporting the cost of sending fresh graduates to biologics manufacturing facilities worldwide for up to 24 months each.This initiative, which is administered by EDB, aims to develop a ready pool of talent with the relevant working experience.We have sent about 250 trainees to our training partners’ facilities worldwide to-date. The locations where we send trainees to include Lonza’s plants in the USA and UK.Companies that are setting up biologics manufacturing projects in Singapore will be able to tap on this ready pool of skilled manpower.

We are confident that our efforts to build our capabilities in biologics manufacturing will put us in good stead to support the anticipated rapid wave of such investments here.

Today’s event marks a significant milestone in Lonza’s activities in Singapore. I wish Lonza every success and look forward to Lonza situating more of its activities here.

Thank you.