On 11 July, 2023, Avantor, Inc., a leading global provider of life sciences and advanced technology solutions, officially inaugurated Singapore Manufacturing & Distributing Hub (SMDH). The expansion of excisting Singapore Hub brought a range of services including new cGMP manufacturing suites, exceptional quality control laboratory and inventory management expertise for process ingredients and excipients. 

The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Avantor executives, Christophe Couturier, and Narayana Rao, Vice President Biopharma AMEA, and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), represented by Elaine Teo, Senior Vice President and Head, Investment Facilitation at EDB. The inauguration was in conjunction with laboratory exploration of three major state-of-art stations and demonstrations of equipment and QC analysis operations.

What capabilities will the new hub offer?

SMDH features two cGMP Class 8 Suites facilities built at 900 sq ft area with subdividing and packaging capabilities. The enhanced capability with cGMP compliance, fully equipped QC laboratory and ISO 9001-certified warehouse ensures consistent supply of raw materials for mission-critical drug and therapy development. The hub's state-of-the-art facilities allow it to drive innovation and efficiency to address biopharmaceutical, biologic, cell, and gene therapy challenges in the AMEA.

The new hub will be a one-stop facility serving the needs of customers across Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA), strengthening the region’s innovation and biopharma ecosystems. The hub facilitates expediting turnaround times and improving customer access to raw materials. 

Fully equipped cGMP QC laboratory capabilities Includes:: Excipient raw material and finished goods testing to USP, EP, JP, and ChP Europe specifications; Classical wet chemical techniques; Gas and Liquid Chromatography; Trace Metals by ICP-MS; Endotoxin laboratory; Product stability testing

The first phase of the new hub is ready to attract specialists and help in creating job opportunities for Singapore’s skilled talent. 

“Avantor recognizes the growing complexities around customer requirements and regulatory standards across AMEA’s biopharma industry. By enhancing our regional capabilities through the launch of our Singapore Manufacturing and Distribution Hub, we tap into our legacy of serving the evolving  needs of customers, demonstrating our commitment to advancing life-changing science” said Christophe Couturier, Executive Vice President, AMEA.

The integration of the Avantor’s current VWR distribution hub with new manufacturing operations furthur features warehousing of certified products, batch-to-batch traceability and customized palletization capabilities. Hub includes two cGMP compliant Warehouses equipped with ambient and temperature controlled storage as well as conventional storage for 11,000 pallets. SAP Warehouse Management Module (WM) manages inventory movements and provides real-time information for inventory control, order fulfilment and space management.

The warehouses store over 25,000 stock-keeping units (SKU) of chemicals, consumables, and Equipment/Instrumentation. Packaging facility at the warehouse repackages bulk volume pharmaceutical ingredients into small-scale, customized quantities for global distribution. Asia has been one of the prime distribution markets for Avantor, with increasing demand for biopharmaceutical ingredients in Singapore, Japan and Korea. 

Strengthening biopharma supply chain resilience:

“Avantor’s latest expansion of its Singapore hub enhances the supply of key materials and services required by biopharma manufacturers in Singapore and the region. This strengthens supply chain resilience for businesses and enhances the competitiveness of Singapore’s biomedical sciences industry, an integral part of Singapore’s manufacturing sector.  Avantor’s successive investments in Singapore demonstrate confidence in our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. These expansions are in line with EDB’s commitment to work with businesses to deepen their footprint and create new job opportunities in Singapore,” said Elaine Teo, Senior Vice President, EDB. 

Avantor includes 13 innovation centers, 14 cGMP manufacturing facilities with more than 200 manufacturing,  nearly 50 ISO-certified distribution facilities and sales centers in over 30 countries. With cutting-edge manufacturing and quality control infrastructure, Avantor continues to expand its strategic presence in Singapore and across Asia by integrating distribution networks for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, industry, education, healthcare sectors and advanced technologies.

Image Caption: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony : (Left to Right): Christophe Couturier (EVP, Asia Middle East Africa, Avantor), Elaine Teo (SVP & Head, Investment Facilitation, Singapore EDB) and Narayana Rao Rapolu (VP, Biopharma, Asia Middle East Africa, Avantor)