Prøve GULL - Gratis

"APAC has one of the fastest drug discovery innovation speeds in the world"

BioSpectrum Asia

|

July 2023

U S-headquartered West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, has recently inaugurated its newly advanced manufacturing facility in Jurong, Singapore. This is part of West's commitment to invest more than $350 million globally in 2023. Alagu Subramaniam, Senior Director, Sales and Commercial Operations, Asia Pacific, West Pharmaceutical Services shares more details about this new facility in a candid chat with BioSpectrum Asia. Edited excerpts;

- Dr Manbeena Chawla manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com

"APAC has one of the fastest drug discovery innovation speeds in the world"

How will the new facility benefit Singapore’s thriving pharmaceutical and biomedical ecosystem?

The Singapore Jurong plant is now more than four decades old and has played a key role in servicing our customers and patients in their needs, both locally and regionally in the healthcare industry.

With the upgrade, West is now able to manufacture advanced, high-quality containment products for injectable drugs from start to finish in a single location, which will reduce overall lead time in production. This enables us to offer a world-class supply chain to our customers across the region and help deliver life-saving drugs, life-enhancing solutions, and revolutionary medicines to patients quickly.

The Jurong facility is the only one in Asia Pacific (APAC) under the advanced manufacturing value stream for West and is one of the five sites for West’s global high-value product (HVP) capacity expansion worldwide. With both the pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing sectors being key to Singapore government’s ‘Manufacturing 2030’ Plan, we believe we are in a unique position to support Singapore with its manufacturing ambitions.

In the last three years, we have invested over $700 million in capital expenditures, with the majority used to expand capacity across our existing sites, including the Jurong facility. Additionally, we are investing more than $350 million globally in 2023 to ensure that our capabilities and capacity evolve in tandem with the needs of our customers.

Lastly, this investment and upgrade supports Singapore in achieving a complete supply chain manufacturing capability for future vaccine response.

Are you recruiting new talent in this facility, and under what expertise?

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

"The next 5-years will see mRNA science evolve beyond infectious disease"

A new survey from Moderna Singapore reveals persistent vaccine hesitancy among older adults in Singapore, even as international travel and year-end gatherings increase the urgency of protection. The findings point to clear opportunities to strengthen public health, including empowering healthcare professionals as trusted messengers and promoting co-administration of vaccines.

time to read

4 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

No Funding No Vax for TB?

The World Health Organization (WHO)'s latest updates on tuberculosis (TB) released on November 12 reveal significant progress in diagnosis, treatment, and political commitment, but also expose deep vulnerabilities—especially in the South-East Asia Region (SEARO)—related to funding gaps and the uncertain future of novel TB vaccines. SEARO remains the global epicentre of the TB epidemic, carrying more than 45 per cent of the world's TB incidence despite representing only a quarter of the global population.

time to read

2 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Australia builds tailored heart pump to transform heart failure care

Despite making up half of the 64 million people living with heart failure, patients with this common form have no access to heart pump treatments and are left with only medication or palliative care.

time to read

1 min

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Clinical Research Trends 2026: Hybrid DCTs Set for Surge as Innovation Outpaces Regulatory Hurdles

APAC's openness to innovation, combined with its large population and low trial density, creates strong potential for expanding decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), especially for patients with limited trial access. While regulatory diversity and operational challenges will continue to hinder fully decentralised models, the region is expected to adopt more digital technologies in clinical research. As a result, hybrid DCTs will keep gaining traction, and effective management of digitally collected data will remain a central focus for data science teams.

time to read

4 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

CSL Seqirus to localise advanced influenza vaccine manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

Australia-based CSL Seqirus and Vaccine Industrial Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to enhance the biotechnology sector by accessing advanced cellbased seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and localising manufacturing in Saudi Arabia.

time to read

1 min

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

How Sponsors Could Gain Advantage by Embracing Dose Optimisation in Asia by 2026

In 2026, oncology drug development in Asia may move away from the historical maximum tolerated dose (MTD) paradigm toward evidence-based dose optimisation. Sponsors might consider adopting strategies similar to the FDA's Project Optimus, which emphasises selecting doses that balance efficacy and safety rather than relying solely on toxicity thresholds. Doing so could improve patient outcomes and position companies favourably as regulatory expectations evolve.

time to read

1 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Fujifilm launches joint research with National Cancer Center in Japan

Fujifilm Corporation has signed a joint research agreement with the National Cancer Center Japan, a Tokyo-based national institution recognised for its leadership in cancer care and research.

time to read

1 min

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Monash spinout RAGE Biotech secures $29 M to advance next-generation RNA therapeutics

Australia's Monash University spinout RAGE Biotech has raised $29 million in Series A funding, marking a major step toward translating RNA-based therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disease into the clinic.

time to read

1 min

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Submitting clinical data to the FDA and PDMA: An efficient and compliant approach

In both the US and Japan, regulators provide an extensive set of resources detailing the rules and specifications governing submissions for marketing approval of new drugs and biologics. Fortunately, despite some differences, the regulations concerning clinical data have a surprising amount in common. It is possible that with a solid understanding of the requirements and an adherence to best practices, sponsors can develop some of the same material for submission to both countries.

time to read

2 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

BioSpectrum Asia

BioSpectrum Asia

Regenerative medicines and microbiome health are emerging as exciting frontiers, with Australian companies and researchers pushing into new therapeutic approaches

After more than a year at the helm of AusBiotech, CEO Rebekah Cassidy reflects on her early priorities and the organisation’s ambitions as Australia accelerates its position in the global life sciences economy. In an email interaction on the sidelines of AusBiotech 2025, she highlights the country's progress in mRNA, cell and gene therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals, outlines emerging areas of momentum, and discusses how new partnerships and MoUs are strengthening collaboration across the biotech ecosystem. Rebekah also outlines how AusBiotech is preparing Australia for a more competitive and connected global life sciences economy and the strategic priorities shaping AusBiotech’s next chapter. Edited excerpts:

time to read

7 mins

BioSpectrum Asia Dec 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size