Speech by DPM and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at Opening of Pfizer Tuas Expansion Official Opening

His excellency, Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan

Mr Mike McDermott, Chief Global Supply Officer, Executive Vice President, Pfizer

Mr Paul Duffy, Senior Vice President, Small Molecule Operations, Pfizer

Mr Anil Argilla, Emerging Markets Asia Cluster President, Pfizer

Mr Paul Smullen, Site Leader, Tuas, Pfizer

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1.            A very good morning to all of you. It is my pleasure to join you today for the site opening of Pfizer’s Tuas Manufacturing Facility Extension in Singapore.

A Legacy of Partnership

2.           The biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector is a key contributor to Singapore’s manufacturing output, producing more than S$19 billion of products for global markets in 2022. This is a threefold increase from 20 years ago. Back then, we started off as a manufacturing base producing small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Today, we host seven out of the top ten biopharmaceutical companies with more than 60 manufacturing facilities here. These companies develop new drug modalities from APIs to Biologics (such as Therapeutics and Vaccines) as well as Cell Therapies. Employment in the sector has also more than doubled over the past two decades, with over 9,000 employees today.

3.            Pfizer has been a steadfast partner in this journey. Since establishing its first office here in 1964, Pfizer has significantly expanded its presence in Singapore, including establishing an API manufacturing facility in 2003 and its regional headquarters overseeing Emerging Markets Asia. Today, Pfizer is the largest contributor to pharmaceutical manufacturing output in Singapore.

4.            Pfizer has also expanded into R&D activities in Singapore. For example, in 2016, Pfizer launched the Manufacturing Technology Development Centre that develops engineering and chemistry solutions to Pfizer’s manufacturing sites globally. Pfizer was also an early member of the Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS) back in 2018. PIPS is an industry-led platform through which Pfizer has developed new manufacturing technologies for APIs in collaboration with local research institutions and IHLs.

5.            I would also like to acknowledge Pfizer’s close partnership with the Singapore government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pfizer had gone beyond contractual obligations to accelerate vaccine deliveries at critical junctures to meet the needs of our national vaccination programme, enabling Singapore to increase our vaccination rates rapidly.

A New Chapter of Manufacturing within Pfizer

6.            Today, we mark the beginning of a new chapter of this partnership with the opening of the Tuas Manufacturing Facility Extension. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance Pfizer’s small molecule manufacturing capabilities in Singapore.

7.            It incorporates the latest manufacturing technologies, enabling the production of novel and life-saving drugs from Pfizer’s future R&D pipeline. It will also feature flexible and modular manufacturing, as well as integrated smart factory capabilities. This Extension is expected to create over 250 high-skilled jobs, providing Singaporeans with good, meaningful career opportunities.

Building a Future Together

8.            I am glad that Pfizer has chosen Singapore to grow its global manufacturing network. This is a testament to how global biopharmaceutical companies can tap on Singapore’s skilled talent, and advanced manufacturing capabilities to launch life-saving medicines globally.

9.            In line with our Manufacturing 2030 vision, we want to establish Singapore as a global leader in advanced manufacturing. We will strive to continue to be the choice location for pharmaceutical companies investing in leading-edge manufacturing technologies and facilities dedicated to new drug modalities. Such investments will also facilitate and improve Singapore’s preparedness and resilience in dealing with future pandemics.

10.         We look forward to working closely with partners such as Pfizer to grow the bench strength of talent in the sector, through industry scholarships such as the Industrial Post-graduate Programme as well as leadership development initiatives. All these efforts will support our aim to be a leading global hub for companies to innovate, manufacture, and commercialise solutions across the care continuum (from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring).

Conclusion

11.         Congratulations once again on the opening of Pfizer’s Tuas Manufacturing Facility Extension at the Tuas Biomedical Park. I am confident that this new site will be a best-in-class facility within Pfizer’s global manufacturing network and be a showcase of what companies can achieve here in Singapore. Today’s site opening will further bolster the vibrancy of Singapore’s biopharma sector, while enhancing our position as a hub for innovation in the industry.

12.         We look forward to deepening our decades-long partnership with Pfizer. Together, we can elevate Singapore’s biopharma ecosystem to new heights, and shape the future of healthcare for the benefit of peoples here, and around the world.

13.         Thank you.