SINGAPORE—Despite the global financial crisis which sees the shutting down of several companies, an undisputed leader in the research-based pharmaceutical industry said it will continue to invest and recruit more people, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Speaking at the GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) media day here, Christophe Weber, GSK’s senior vice president and area director, said the company sees more investments in the future, citing the GSK’s S$600-million vaccine plant in the country, which is the first in Asia.

The plant, a significant investment in Singapore, is dedicated to the production of bulk polysaccharides and conjugates which are used to manufacture GSK’s new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, meningitis and other new innovative vaccines.

GSK will initially employ about 200 staff and invest in training and development to equip them with the skills and knowledge to operate the new facility.

Once operational, the primary vaccine plant will complement the biologicals global manufacturing network to serve as the nerve center of GSK’s production and supply of purified bulk polysaccharides and conjugates worldwide.

“Despite the economic crisis, we are investing and recruiting many people... We want to stay in the market and remain competitive. We will have more activities in the [Asia-Pacific] region,” Weber said.

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GSK’S vaccine facility in Singapore. ERICK LIRIOS

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He said three major markets—China, India and South Korea—would account for 60 percent of the Asia-Pacific market and 70 percent of sales by 2012, followed by other Asian countries.

Weber said GSK’s Asia-Pacific operations represent 10 percent of the world’s population with over 690 million people across 14 countries.

At present, he said pharmaceutical markets in the Asia Pacific continue to grow at double-digit rate.

“We are very committed to the region and are making sure our products are accessible to the people,” Weber said.

He cited the reduction of drugs prices in the Philippines in March this year by as much as 50 percent, becoming the first in the world to do so under a worldwide program that targets 50 least-developed countries.

This is even before the government implements Republic Act 9502, or “An Act providing for cheaper and quality medicines,”

In an interview with the BusinessMirror at the sidelines of the forum, Weber said President Arroyo and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, during a recent courtesy call in Malacañang by GSK officials, were very pleased with the GSK’s reduction of prices of its pharmaceutical products.

GSK was named the industry leader in improving access to drugs and vaccines, according to the new Access to Medicines Index.

As for the pandemic global outbreak of new strain of Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, Derrick Sim, director of the GSK’s Elderly Flu Vaccine Franchise in Asia, said the company is developing AS03 adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine.

Adjuvant, according to Emilio Ledesma, GSK’s vice president for Clinical Research and Development Medical Affairs in Asia, is an agent incorporated into a vaccine formulation to increase the immunogenicity of the antigens, the substance that prompts the generation of antibodies and can cause an immune response.       

GSK is the manufacturer of Relenza, an antiflu drug used to treat A (H1N1) flu virus. The other antiviral drug, Tamiflu, is made by Roche.