AstraZeneca plans to hire over 800 employees in Singapore for highly skilled roles ranging from engineering, quality, technical services to global supply chain, as it begins construction of its manufacturing facility for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), treatments that deliver highly potent cancer-killing agents directly to cancer cells through targeted antibodies.

The new site is set to produce ADCs that can precisely target cancers, providing supply of the next-generation medicines to patients globally. AstraZeneca has a broad portfolio of in-house ADCs, with six wholly owned ADCs in the clinic and many more in preclinical development. At this year's European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in September, AstraZeneca presented promising results that showcased the potential of its proprietary ADC technology across multiple tumour types, including breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot attended the groundbreaking for the 58-acre site in Tuas South, marking the official start of construction. The $1.5 billion USD facility is targeted to be operationally ready by 2029.

Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said: "Singapore is delighted to partner with AstraZeneca to establish its first global end-to-end ADC manufacturing facility here. This greenfield investment will add significant capabilities to Singapore's growing biopharmaceutical sector, especially in the development and manufacturing of precision medicines for better healthcare outcomes. Beyond creating meaningful jobs for Singaporeans, AstraZeneca's facility is aligned with Singapore's push towards sustainable manufacturing and national target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050."

Pam Cheng, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, IT & Chief Sustainability Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “I am truly excited for AstraZeneca to locate our ADC manufacturing facility in Singapore and our groundbreaking today puts us on track for it to be operationally ready by 2029. Singapore is one of the world's most attractive countries for investment given its strong reputation in complex manufacturing and the depth of its talent. As part of AstraZeneca’s commitment to driving sustainability in healthcare, this ADC facility will be designed to emit zero carbon from its first day of operations.”

The planned greenfield facility is AstraZeneca’s first end-to-end ADC production site globally, fully incorporating all steps of the manufacturing process at a commercial scale. Manufacturing of ADCs is a multi-step process that comprises antibody production, synthesis of chemotherapy drug and linker, conjugation of drug-linker to the antibody, and filling of the completed ADC substance into vials.