The new biologics plant, which is due to be operational by 2016, will be built next to a solid dose pharmaceutical production facility that Novartis set up at the Tuas Biomedical Park in 2005.
The plan is to handle clinical and commercial production of monoclonal antibody-based medicines for autoimmune, respiratory and oncology indications.
CEO Joe Jimenez said that: "We have chosen Singapore as strategic supply point as it offers a wide range of advantages due to its strong local biomedical presence and knowledge, skilled labour as well as proximity to growth markets in Asia."
in-Pharmatechnologist.com asked Novartis if the plant is different from the one it said it would build in 2007, but the firm did not respond to the request for information.