Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled plans to develop two new sterile filling lines in Singapore to extend capacity to the Asia-Pacific region for the development and manufacture of therapies and vaccines.
 
Established with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the $130 million facility will be operated by Thermo Fisher and have the capability to manufacture pharmaceutical products to meet demand in the region and respond effectively to future health emergencies.
 
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of government and industry collaboration to protect citizens by ensuring the availability of critical diagnostic tests, therapies and vaccines,” said Marc N. Casper, chairman, chief executive officer and president, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This partnership enables us to expand our sterile fill finish network in the region while strengthening the Singapore government’s ability to respond quickly to future health crises.”
 
The new facility will initially include a high-speed sterile line approved for live virus filling—the first such large scale capability in Singapore—followed by an additional line for standard fill/finish. The facility will also have cleanroom capacity, labs, warehousing and offices to support production. Once operational in 2022, the facility could manufacture up to 30 million sterile doses per month and employ more than 300 people.
 
“We strongly welcome Thermo Fisher’s decision to establish a new sterile fill finish facility in Singapore,” said Beh Swan Gin, chairman, EDB. “This is an important addition to the manufacturing capacity needed by global pharmaceutical and vaccine companies in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Thermo Fisher’s investment will also strengthen the infrastructure in Asia-Pacific to address future pandemics and enhance access to innovative new therapeutics and vaccines.”