Alcon opens new ophthalmic pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Singapore
To respond to growing eye care needs in Asia
Novartis subsidiary Alcon has opened a new US$160m manufacturing facility in Singapore for the manufacture of ophthalmic drugs.
The 330,000ft2 facility will manufacture treatments for dry eye, glaucoma, allergies and bacterial infections in the eye.
Alcon said the new facility allows it to be closer and quickly respond to its growing base of customers and patients throughout Asia.
'The need for quality eye care is increasing rapidly across Asia, as the population grows and ages,' said Roy Acosta, Area President, Alcon Asia-Pacific.
'With the opening of this new manufacturing facility, Alcon is making a strong investment in the future of our business in Asia, and ensuring that our innovative products are readily available to those who need them.'
Alcon has more than 20 manufacturing facilities around the world, which use state-of-the-art technology and adhere to the strictest quality standards and Acosta said those same capabilities would be transferred to Singapore plant.
'Singapore’s robust biomedical presence, and the highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce made it easy to choose Singapore for our new site,' said Christopher Snook, Country President Novartis Singapore and Head Novartis Group Country Management. 'With the opening of this facility, we deepen our relationship with Singapore and strengthen the foundation for the long and very successful future Novartis sees in Singapore.'
Currently, the facility employs approximately 150 people, and is expected to continue to grow as production increases.