FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world-leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with experience in the development and manufacture of recombinant biopharmaceuticals and viral gene therapies, today announced an expansion of its single-use manufacturing campus in College Station through the addition of a new cGMP production facility that will double the Company’s advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturing capacity in the U.S. This investment is supported by a $1.5 million Texas Enterprise Fund Award to support the creation of approximately 150 skilled positions including manufacturing and operations by 2024.
The investment of approximately $300 million for facility construction is part of a previously announced $850 million global capital investment package initially outlined by FUJIFILM Corporation in June 2021. The investment will further expand FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ manufacturing capabilities to better support its current and future partners in advancing their life-impacting products.
This new facility, expected to be operational by 2024, will add approximately 138,000 sq.ft2 to the existing campus growing the site to 300,000 sq. ft2. The new site will house multiple 500L and 2,000L bioreactors and associated purification equipment deploying single-use technology.
"FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies' expansion is wonderful news for the hardworking people of College Station-Bryan, and it will bring more opportunities for Texans to develop life-saving technology and treatment," says Governor Greg Abbott. "The biotechnology industry is growing at a tremendous rate in Texas, and I thank FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies for their continued investment in the Brazos Valley that will keep the Lone Star State competitive in this field."
“As a leader in the advanced therapy market, this complements FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ existing global footprint which now include sites in Watertown, Massachusetts, USA and Darlington, United Kingdom,” says Martin Meeson, chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.
“As the need for advanced therapies development and manufacturing capacity grows, we will continue to invest in the right technology and talent to support our partners in bringing to market these life-impacting medicines,” says Gerry Farrell, chief operating officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Texas. “We are grateful to Governor Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas for its commitment to supporting the growth of the Texas biocorridor, and creating highly-skilled jobs in the state. We are also grateful to the cities of Bryan and College Station and Brazos County for their continued support with this initiative.”
The Texas Enterprise Fund awards support the creation of quality jobs and leverage private investment for business activities designed to strengthen the economic future of the state.
Many local and Texas A&M officials were in attendance of the announcement including Texas A&M University System Vice Chancellor for Research Joe Elabd, Texas A&M University Vice President for Academic & Strategic Collaborations Susan Ballabina, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation Board Chair Clint Cooper, Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Chief Operating Officer Gerry Farrell, College Station Mayor Karl Mooney, State Representative John Raney (TX-14), and Brazos County Judge Duane Peters.
About FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is an industry-leading Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with locations in Teesside, UK, RTP, North Carolina, College Station, Texas and Hillerød, Denmark. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has over thirty years of experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, among other large molecules, viral products, and medical countermeasures expressed in a wide array of microbial, mammalian, and host/virus systems. The company offers a comprehensive list of services from cell line development using its proprietary pAVEway™ microbial and Apollo™X cell line systems to process development, analytical development, clinical, and FDA-approved commercial manufacturing. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is a partnership between FUJIFILM Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. For more information, visit fujifilmdiosynth.com.
About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM Corporation is an operating company of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation. FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings cutting edge solutions to a broad range of global industries by leveraging its depth of knowledge and fundamental technologies developed in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Its proprietary core technologies contribute to the various fields including healthcare, highly functional materials, document solutions, and imaging products. These products and services are based on its extensive portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic, and imaging technologies. For the year ended March 31, 2021, the company had global revenues of $21 billion, at an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, visit fujifilmholdings.com.
Courtesy of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
