New investment increases commitment in Singapore to S$1.5 billion Singapore, 10 March 2008: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies today celebrated the completion of its new Research & Development (R&D) Pilot Plant facility in Singapore. This S$116 million investment at the GSK site at Jurong increases GSK's total investment in Singapore to S$1.5 billion. Gracing the opening ceremony today was Guest of Honour, Mr S Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade & Industry. Mr Iswaran said, "Pharmaceutical companies in Singapore are increasingly emphasising manufacturing innovation by establishing pilot plants here to complement their commercial-scale manufacturing facilities. Last year, biomedical sciences (BMS) manufacturing output reached a high of S$24 billion, with a Value Add (VA) of S$13.4 billion. This amounts to almost a quarter of Singapore's Total Manufacturing VA." The Jurong Pilot Plant joins GSK's Chemical Development global network as its sixth and newest pilot plant built to accommodate a number of potential new medicines that are in their final phase of development. Co-located at GSK's existing manufacturing facility at Pioneer Sector, the Jurong Pilot Plant will create significant synergistic opportunities for both the Global Manufacturing Supply [GMS] organisation and R&D. It will enhance GSK's capability to streamline and accelerate the delivery of innovative medicines to patients. "Since GSK's formation, there has been an increase of almost 80% in the number of potential new medicines in our R&D portfolio which has led to an unprecedented growth in demand for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. As the potential new medicines progress through the development pipeline, the demand for large-scale pilot plant capacity increases." Dr Moncef Slaoui, Chairman for R&D, GSK said. In line with FDA guidance on increasing the use of technology in the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, the plant is equipped with the latest Process Analytical Technology which facilitates on-line testing. This technology, and high levels of automation, helps meet the flexibility and speed required for R&D activity. Technical experts from around the globe can observe the Singapore plant processes in real-time, which significantly reduces the need for scientists to travel to the site, increases efficiency in the R&D process and expands access to GSK's global R&D resources. Strategically located in Singapore, the commercial hub of the Asia-Pacific region, the plant has attracted a team of 45 scientists and technicians recruited from the US, UK and locally in Singapore, who enjoy the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of scientific development and active involvement in the commercialisation of a number of new products. "The well-developed infrastructure, and the excellent scientific resources and talents in Singapore, are key factors in supporting the biomedical research needed to deliver our R&D strategy," Dr Slaoui said. GSK's investment in Singapore includes manufacturing, research and development, and sales and marketing. Singapore is also the headquarters of GSK's Asia-Pacific operations. With the addition of the Jurong R&D Pilot Plant, GSK now boasts a total of more than 900 hires and a total investment of S$1.5 billion. About GlaxoSmithKline GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline at http://www.gsk.com For media queries, please contact: Jessie Lee Communications Officer Tel: (65) 6860-5915/ (65) 8138-5372 Email: Jessie.s.lee@gsk.com