Fujifilm reports that it will make a major capital investment of approximately 100 billion yen ($928 million) in the Denmark site of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The capital investment will double the site’s current drug substance manufacturing capacity, and will expand its capabilities to include fill/finish, and enhance its current assembly, labeling and packaging services, according to the company.
The investment will expand production lines for bulk drug substance with the addition of a further six mammalian cell bioreactors, bringing the total to 12 x 20,000-liter bioreactors by fall 2023. The development will also include the addition of the Denmark site’s first fill/finish production line (added by summer 2023), featuring a fully-automated, system capable of producing up to approximately 35 million units per annum to cater to large-scale production. In spring 2022, a new packaging line equipped with facilities to assemble multiple types of auto-injectors, as well as automatic labeling, will be added to meet a broad range of customer needs.
“Our culture of innovation and reputation of manufacturing excellence ensures our rapid growth to better serve the healthcare community,” said Takatoshi Ishikawa, executive VP, general manager of bio-CDMO division, Fujifilm. “Since the acquisition of the Denmark site last year, the facility’s strong manufacturing track-record, coupled with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ technologies enabling a stable supply of high-quality biopharmaceuticals, has led to new orders not only from existing clients, but also new clients, contributing to our rapid business expansion.”
In August 2019, Fujifilm invested approximately 98 billion yen ($890 million) to acquire Biogen’s manufacturing subsidiary in Denmark, for its cGMP capabilities and its talent.
The advanced capabilities at the Denmark site has led to collaborations, including the recent announcement of future manufacturing capacity reservation by the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, an initiative launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard to speed-up the response to the global pandemic.
“With the addition of world-class assets enabling us to scale production volumes to fit both small and large batches, the capital infusion allows us to deliver on our promise to support our partners from pre-clinical through to commercialization,” said Martin Meeson, CEO, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. “Moreover, we are able to support our partners in manufacturing lifesaving therapies to patients around the world.”
