SINGAPORE — Pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough Ltd. plans to invest $450 million to build four new facilities in Singapore, providing another boost to the Republic’s blossoming life sciences industry.

The company plans to build a multi-product bulk manufacturing facility, a biotech sterile manufacturing facility, an oral solid dosage manufacturing facility and a research and development facility under the expansion plan. The new development will bring Schering-Plough’s total investment in Singapore to $750 million.

Much of the reasoning behind that investment was Singapore’s recent push in the life sciences industries, according to John E. Nine, president of technical operations and vice president of Schering-Plough.

“Singapore’s strong commitment to the life sciences was instrumental in our decision to invest here,” Nine said. “Singapore offers a highly skilled and educated workforce, and a strategic location, as well as excellent infrastructure, transportation and communication facilities.”

Nine also said the new facilities will bolster the company’s ability to compete in worldwide markets by providing additional production capacity for new product lines.

Officials hope to have the new facilities completely operational by 2003 and say they will create an additional 400 jobs. The new plants, along with existing facilities, will cover approximately 50 acres in Tuas, Singapore.

–Jeff VanPelt