3M Drug Delivery Systems is expanding its drug delivery product development capabilities by opening its first laboratory at the 3M Singapore facility in Yishun.
The lab will develop inhalation and transdermal drug delivery products, bringing 3M's innovative inhalers and patches to pharmaceutical customers and patients in the Asia Pacific region. It complements the company's other labs in St Paul, MN, US and Loughborough, UK.
"Expanding our presence in Singapore will help us provide Asia Pacific customers with a product development service that has both local and global capabilities," said Jim Vaughan, vice president and general manager of 3M Drug Delivery Systems.
The 1,850m2 Singapore facility houses both a feasibility lab and two process development labs.
Research conducted at the lab will contribute to 3M Drug Delivery Systems" growing capabilities and product portfolio, which includes dry powder inhalers, pressurised metered dose inhalers and microstructured transdermal systems.
3M plans to add capacity to its Singapore facility and begin making N95 face masks there next April. 3M expects to produce about 180 million masks annually at the plant, increasing its global production by about 20% to meet demand boosted by the H1N1 flu pandemic.