Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biologics, viral vaccines and viral vectors, held a virtual ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the start of its large-scale cell culture expansion project. The major capital investment of $928 million from Fujifilm Corporation was previously announced in June 2020.
 
The expansion will double the existing bulk drug substance production capacity with the addition of 6 x 20,000L bioreactors, bringing the total to 12 x 20,000-liter bioreactors. The new construction will also include a fully automated, cutting-edge fill/finish capability to support large-scale production of up to approximately 35 million units per annum. To support the expanded operations, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies will add 300 positions in Denmark by the end of 2023.
 
The expansion investment also includes a new packaging line designed to assemble multiple types of auto-injectors and automatic labelling; these capabilities will be operational in spring 2022. The fill/finish production line is expected to be operational by summer 2023. As the final step in the construction, the large-scale cell bulk drug substance expansion is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.
 
The ground-breaking event included messages from His Excellency Miyagawa Manabu, Ambassador of Japan in Denmark; Mr. Takatoshi Ishikawa, Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager of Bio CDMO Division, Fujifilm Corporation, Ms. Kirsten Jensen, Mayor of Hillerød and Mr. Toshihisa Iida, President and Managing Director of Fujifilm in Europe.
 
“It was a delight to celebrate the commencement of this very important expansion,” said Takatoshi Ishikawa, senior executive vice president, general manager of Fujifilm Corporation’s Bio CDMO Division. “Fujifilm has highlighted the CDMO business as a priority growth area, and is actively investing in technology to expand its manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demands of customers. Additionally, as Fujifilm’s largest investment in Europe for Bio CDMO business, this new facility represents our commitment to growing our Bio CDMO offering in the region to better serve our customers.”
 
Lars Petersen, chief operating officer and senior vice president, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Denmark, said, “The expansion will be transformative, significantly expanding our ability to support current and future partners, infusing sustainability efforts into future operations, and further strengthening our leadership in biologic drug substance manufacturing. We are excited to see the site grow and to welcome 300 new employees.”