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Novartis opens new pharmaceutical plant and intends to build biotech facility in Singapore
Novartis also expects to invest USD 700 million to build large-scale biotechnology facility in Singapore to support the company's growing pipeline of biopharmaceuticals

31 Oct 2007 - The Singapore Economic Development Board anoounced that Novartis officially inaugurated a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Tuas, Singapore, adding capacity to its global production network to meet business growth and support new product launches in the US and Japanese markets. The plant will manufacture solid dosage forms (tablets) of existing Novartis pharmaceutical brands, such as Diovan(R), and new products, like Tekturna(R). It is expected to be fully operational in 2009 and to employ around 160 employees.
 
In addition, Novartis unveiled its plan to build a large-scale biotechnology plant in Singapore to support the rapid growth of its biologics sector, which now accounts for 25 percent of the Novartis product pipeline. Novartis expects to invest approximately USD 700 million - its largest investment to date in manufacturing capacity - in the new, state-of-the-art cell-culture facility.
 
The biotech plant will employ more than 300 people when fully operational. Construction is expected to start in early 2008. Subject to regulatory approvals, the plant will be operational by the end of 2012.