Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a CDMO focussed on the development and manufacture of recombinant biopharmaceuticals and advanced therapies, has opened its new 10,000 ft2 cell culture process development laboratories in Wilton Centre, Teesside.
The biotech company has locations in Billingham and Redcar, UK, and North Carolina and College Station, Texas, US. It has more than 25 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, among other large molecules and also offers cell line development using FDA-approved commercial manufacturing.
The new laboratories were realised through a 1 billion Japanese Yen (US$9m) investment which is part of the greater JPY14 billion ($130m USD) expansion announced by Fujifilm Corporation in April 2017. A grant from Let’s Grow, which is part of The Regional Growth Fund also contributed to the overall investment as part of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ continued growth in the Tees Valley.
The facilities will be dedicated to support the Saturn mAb Platform cell culture Process Development activities. The Saturn mAb Platform is designed to enable rapid access to process development and manufacturing capacity.
“These laboratories are designed to incorporate the latest high-throughput technologies, including fully automated high throughput bioreactors and chromatography systems,” said Andy Topping, Chief Scientific Officer, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies.
“The Saturn Process Development Laboratories are a huge differentiator in the cell culture and monoclonal antibody process development space,” said Paul Found, COO, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies UK sites “By dedicating these facilities and bringing new technologies we will be effectively supporting our customer’s in the rapid delivery of monoclonal antibody therapies to patients all over the world. This is part of our commitment as Partners for life in the advancement of medicines.”
“Fujifilm’s investment in a new facility on Teesside demonstrates the strength of the UK’s life sciences sector and brings more highly-skilled jobs to the region,” said Lord Prior. “The UK has a very strong science and innovation base and through our Industrial Strategy we are ensuring we continue to be at the forefront of pioneering research and the destination of choice for inward investment.”
Lord Prior of Brampton and Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan in the UK addressed the audience of local government members and the biotech community during the event.