Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at the Virtual Opening Ceremony of GenScript’s Protein and Gene Manufacturing Facility

Mr. Johnson Wang, President of Asia-Pacific, GenScript,
Dr. Ray Chen, President of Life Science Group, GenScript,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

1. Good morning. It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate the opening of GenScript’s new protein and gene manufacturing facility. Congratulations to the team on this significant milestone. 

GenScript’s new manufacturing facility in Singapore

2. We are delighted that GenScript has chosen Singapore to establish this facility, especially since this is your first production facility outside of the United States and China. It is testament to Singapore’s strong capabilities in the biomedical sciences sector, and our continued drive to attract best-in-class investments that can create new opportunities for Singapore and good jobs for Singaporeans.

3. GenScript’s manufacturing facility will manufacture recombinant proteins and synthesise genes, which are critical products used in the research and development of new therapeutics, drugs, and vaccines. The facility will bring GenScript closer to its end markets and customers here in the Asia-Pacific region, and also allow GenScript to deepen its integration into Singapore’s biomedical sciences ecosystem.

4. This is GenScript’s first full-fledged facility in Singapore, but GenScript is no stranger to us at all. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GenScript partnered DUKE-NUS and A*STAR’s Diagnostics Development Hub to develop and manufacture cPass, the world’s first COVID-19 neutralising antibody test kit with regulatory approval. cPass has since been deployed in 64 countries including the US, UK and Germany. 

5. Today’s opening of the new facility brings GenScript’s partnership with Singapore even further. I am glad that GenScript is signing a MOU with A*STAR’s Diagnostics Development Hub on multiple fronts, from developing MedTech talent to manufacturing diagnostic kits used to detect diseases. This collaboration will enable Singapore to strengthen our supply chain in the diagnostics and life sciences ecosystem. 

Singapore as a biomedical sciences hub

6. Singapore has built up our capabilities in the biomedical sciences sector over the years, to become one of the world’s leading biomedical sciences hubs. We are proud to be home to more than 50 of the world’s leading biomedical sciences companies with a range of activities from manufacturing to research and development. 

7. These firms are attracted by Singapore’s deep talent pool, strong IP protection, robust manufacturing capabilities, thriving research base, and innovation ecosystem. In turn, their presence further strengthens and drives the growth of our biomedical sciences ecosystem. 

The Singapore Government is committed to supporting our biomedical sector 

8. Our biomedical sector is critical to Singapore’s manufacturing ambitions, and the Government is committed to supporting the sector’s growth. We will do so by continuing to attract leading companies to Singapore, strengthening our existing base of companies, and growing our local enterprises. We will also invest heavily in R&D, and train local talent who can take advantage of the new opportunities and support the sector’s growth. 

9. If we get this right, we will be closer to achieving our Manufacturing 2030 vision to be a global business, innovation, and talent hub for Advanced Manufacturing. 

Conclusion

10. To end off my speech, I would like to congratulate GenScript once more on the opening of your protein and gene manufacturing facility in Singapore. We look forward to our continued partnership, and the innovative products that GenScript will continue create to improve the health of millions, if not billions, of people around the world. Thank you.