Baxter Opens Biologics Facility in Asia For Hemophilia Treatments
By Cyndi Root
Baxter International announced in a press release that it has formally opened a biologics processing facility in Singapore for hemophilia treatments. Present at the opening ceremonies were Jean-Luc Butel, corporate vice president and president of Baxter's International operations and Yeoh Keat Chuan, managing director at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Mr. Chuan said, “Baxter's expansion of its biologics footprint in Singapore reinforces our position as a leading biologics hub. Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) will continue to invest in talent development, supporting infrastructure, and new technologies to support the biologics sector.”
Baxter’s Butel said that Singapore’s biotech industry has grown over the years and that the EDB’s support was important in establishing the facility. He added that Baxter will continue to work with the EDB and other government agencies to train employees and invest in collaborations in the region. Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., president of Baxter BioScience, commented on his company’s commitment to hemophilia treatments, "As a long-standing, established leader in the global hemophilia community, Baxter has focused efforts on improving standards of care for people with hemophilia.”
Baxter’s Singapore Facility
The advanced recombinant biologic facility in Singapore currently processes ADVATE [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)] for hemophilia A patients. The company received approval from the European Medicines Agency in January 2014 for ADVATE processing, allowing Baxter to supply the agent to the European Union, Iceland, and Norway.
A second suite will process RIXUBIS [Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant)] for hemophilia B. The facility will also process Baxter’s investigational FVIII treatment BAX 855 when regulatory approved. Baxter estimates that the facility will create 450 new jobs by 2015.
ADVATE
ADVATE is a recombinant anti-hemophilic factor derived from the complete FVIII gene. The agent treats children and adults with hemophilia A, working to prevent and control bleeding. Due to processing without blood-derived components, the agent is safe and transmits no pathogens such as HIV, HBV, or HCV. ADVATE is approved in 62 countries including the U.S.
Singapore Economic Development Board
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is a prominent government agency on the island country. It works to stimulate economic growth and improve Singapore’s position in the global marketplace. The agency works with other government entities to support manufacturing enterprises, such as Baxter’s new biologics facilities.