AGC Biologics, a global biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), will construct a new manufacturing facility at AGC’s Yokohama Technical Center in Japan.

The new site is part of the CDMO’s strategic growth strategy to create more high-quality pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services in the Asia region that can help meet the global demand for biologics and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). The facility is expected to be operational in 2026.

The new AGC Biologics Yokohama facility will offer preclinical through commercial services for mammalian-based protein biologics, cell therapies and messenger RNA (mRNA). The site will house multiple 2,000L single-use bioreactors and several 4,000L or larger reactors for mammalian cell culture services, making it one of Japan’s largest sites for mammalian-based manufacturing capacity once complete.

The total investment for the Yokohama site is expected to be approximately $350.5 million, and once fully operational it will employ 400 people.

“With an increased demand in this region for high-quality partners that have a history of clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical manufacturing, we are making this investment to offer developers the services they need, and strengthen our global CDMO network,” said Patricio Massera, CEO, AGC Biologics. “The new Yokohama facility will be a central location for innovators in Japan and across the Asia Pacific, offering scientific expertise, technical flexibility and needed services to support development and manufacturing at every critical stage.”