Expansion Management

Abbott Spinoff Opens First Manufacturing Plant in Asia

Feb. 6, 2014

Abbvie will invest $400 million a plant in Singapore for small molecule and biologics active drug substance manufacturing.

Adrienne Selko

AbbVie Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott, announced yesterday that it will open its first manufacturing plant in Singapore.

The company will invest $400 million for small molecule and biologics active drug substance manufacturing. The facility will provide capacity for emerging compounds within the company's oncology and immunology pipeline.

"As Asia's fastest-growing bio-cluster, Singapore is an ideal location to expand our manufacturing network while maintaining rigorous standards of quality and delivery for the patients we serve around the world," said Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., senior vice president, Operations, AbbVie. "Our presence in Singapore will help assure geographic balance and continuity of product supply as well as increased capacity to deliver on our growing biologics and small molecule product pipeline."

AbbVie's existing presence in Singapore includes 120 personnel, supporting commercial operations, global R&D and general operations. The investment is expected to result in additional headcount of more than 250 new employees. AbbVie anticipates the new facility will be fully operational by 2019.

"We are very pleased that Singapore will host AbbVie's first manufacturing facility in Asia ," said Kevin Lai, Director, Biomedical Sciences of the Singapore Economic Development Board. “This investment is a testament of Singapore's strong biologics manufacturing capabilities. To support the continued growth of this sector, Singapore will be investing heavily in human capital development, and new programs will be put in place to train biologics manufacturing talent ahead of demand."

The company has other operations in Asia including research and development functions in Tokyo, Japan and Shanghai, China, as well as commercial operations throughout the region.

AbbVie's current manufacturing network includes 12 sites across the U.S., Europe and Puerto Rico, as well as strategic partnerships with third-party manufacturers.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.