Fujifilm is setting up a new standalone Bio contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) division to grow and expand its existing biopharma contract development and manufacturing operation. The firm says the Bio CDMO business will aim to achieve revenues of Yen 100 billion (approximately $0.9 billion) by 2024. Fujifilm’s biomanufacturing business had previously been part of its pharmaceutical products division.The new operating unit will offer small-molecule contract development and manufacturing in addition to services for biologics.
Fujifilm offers cell line and process development and contract manufacturing services through its Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S. and U.K. facilities. Fujifilm acquired vaccine manufacturing firm Kalon Biotherapeutics (now Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas) in 2014. Fujifilm Diosynth’s Apollo™ mammalian cell line expression platform has been developed to enable what the firm claims is a fivefold increase in protein production and 20% improvement in culturing efficiency.
Fujifilm’s announcement of its new Bio CDMO operation follows a day after Lonza and Sanofi reported the investment of $288 million to build a new biologics manufacturing plant in Switzerland.