GlaxoSmithKline is strengthening its presence in Singapore by establishing a new global headquarters for Asia, further expanding its commitment to patients and consumers in the region.

GSK has signed an agreement with Boustead Development Partnership joint venture entity to develop and lease a new building to be the company’s new Asia global headquarters. GSK will move all employees currently based in Gateway West to the new headquarters during the second half of 2017, once the site is fully fitted.

Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, said, “GSK and Singapore’s histories are entwined. Since building our first site at Quality Road in 1972, we have continued to significantly expand our footprint, capability and talent base. In our experience and my own personal experience, Singapore excels in fostering talent, supporting business growth and offers an excellent base to access Asia. This is why we are making a significant decision to further increase our presence in Singapore as we continue to modernize and advance GSK.”

The pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare markets are forecast to grow significantly faster in countries covered by the global headquarters in Asia than in the rest of the world. The Asia headquarters will support local GSK businesses across the region by providing the relevant leadership, expertise, capability and services to make the right decisions for the company, patients and consumers.

The facility will have capacity for up to 1,000 employees across GSK’s pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare businesses. Key leadership and Asia expertise already is transitioning into the region, with almost 150 global or regional roles moving to Singapore in the last year. GSK has over 700 office-based employees in Singapore and expects an additional 100 roles to move into the country as the headquarters nears completion.

GSK has been present in Asia for over 40 years. The new headquarters will have a full range of corporate capabilities allowing key decisions for Asia to be taken within the region by people who have extensive experience working in the continent. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.