Fujifilm Corporation has unveiled plans to invest $1.6 billion to enhance and expand the cell culture manufacturing services of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation, and global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). This investment will enhance Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ sites in Hillerød, Denmark, and Texas in the U.S.

As part of this investment, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies is expanding its capacity to support large-scale cGMP fed batch production by adding 8 x 20,000L bioreactors and two downstream processing streams in its Hillerød, Denmark facility. According to the company, the additional production capacity will make the Hillerød facility the largest end-to-end CDMO in Europe, offering a total of 20 x 20,000L bioreactors for drug substance production complemented by comprehensive drug product and finished goods services. The investment is expected to create approximately 450 jobs.

The Denmark facility will be enhanced with sustainability measures to support Fujifilm’s new “Green Value Climate Strategy” with climate action targets including operating on carbon-free energy and achieving net zero CO2 emissions by the end of Fiscal Year 2040. Sustainable production enhancements will include installation of an electric boiler rather than a conventional boiler powered by natural gas, thereby removing operational dependency of the site on fossil fuels. In addition, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is investing in programs that aim to reduce water consumption.

This investment will also expand cell culture manufacturing solutions at the Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ Texas site. Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies will implement its proprietary SymphonX production equipment, enabling cGMP MaruX continuous processing at the single-use cell culture manufacturing site.

“Fujifilm is further expanding its bio CDMO business with the growth strategy of both capital investment and technological innovation to fulfill rapidly growing demand for high volume production of biopharmaceuticals,” said Teiichi Goto, president and CEO, representative director, Fujifilm Corporation. “With this major investment in the large-scale production facility and the deployment of the next generation production technology, we will be the best partner for customers as the premier bio CDMO. Fujifilm will, through creation of new value from innovation, contribute to the stable supply of high-quality biopharmaceuticals, and to promoting a healthy society and further growth of healthcare industry.”

Martin Meeson, CEO, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, said, “Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies will globally accelerate the deployment of its fully integrated continuous cGMP production capability to enable efficient manufacture of antibodies at a high-volume. Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies offers a comprehensive portfolio of cell culture development and manufacturing services to support its partners in navigating the clinical journey through to commercial launch and reliable supply of antibodies to help our customers deliver medicines to patients.”