Alcon plans to build a facility in Singapore that will manufacture pharmaceuticals to be distributed throughout most of Asia. The company plans to break ground in 2009, with the plant becoming fully functional in 2012. Alcon will employ more than 150 employees within three years after production begins.

The company reports that sales of therapeutics for eye diseases and conditions have risen at a CAGR of 20% in Asian markets. "This growth has been driven by many of Alcon’s major brands such as Travatan, Patanol and Vigamox ophthalmic solutions, Tobradex ophthalmic ointment, and Systane eye drops," according to a company statement. The new facility will enable Alcon to distribute products in this region more efficiently and cost effectively.

Alcon will lease a 20-acre plot of land on which the company will build a 250,000-sq.-ft. facility in the Tuas Biomedical Park. The company expects to manufacture at a rate of more than 53 million units per year at this facility by the end of the third year of operation.


"Given the rapid growth in this region, this plant is integral to our ability to meet future market demands," said Ed McGough, Alcon's senior vice president, global manufacturing and technical operations. "After a lengthy and careful analysis of potential plant locations and through close collaboration with the Singapore Economic Development Board, we selected Singapore due to its highly skilled and reliable workforce and well-established government infrastructure."

Novartis recently announced plans to acquire Alcon in the next several years, at a total cost of $39 billion.