Supplier News: Fujifilm, Hovione, Ardena, Danaher & More
The latest from CDMOs, CMOs, and suppliers featuring Fujifilm, Danaher/Abcam, Experic, Oxford Biomedica/ABL Europe, Ardena, and Hovione/IDC.
Biologics Manufacturing
* Fujifilm Investing $200 M To Expand Cell- & Gene-Therapy Mfg
* Danaher Completes $5.7-Bn Acquisition of Abcam
* Oxford Biomedica To Acquire ABL Europe for $16 M
Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing
* Ardena Gets GMP License for New Fill–Finish Facility
* Hovione, IDC Partner for Nasal Drug Delivery Device
* Experic Adds High-Potency Capsule-Filling Equipment
Biologics Manufacturing
Fujifilm Investing $200 M To Expand Cell- & Gene-Therapy Mfg
Fujifilm has announced an investment of $200 million in two subsidiaries (Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics) to expand cell-therapy CDMO capabilities.
The investment in Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a biologics CDMO, is to expand its site in Thousand Oaks, California, with a new development lab and two new independent manufacturing cleanrooms. The added capacity is slated to be operational in early 2025.
Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, a developer and manufacturer of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and iPSC-derived cells, is adding a new 175,000-square-foot headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. The new campus will house iPSC cGMP manufacturing with three cleanroom suites, process-development laboratories, warehouse operations, and administrative space. This investment will double the company’s existing manufacturing capacity for the development and commercialization of iPSC-derived cell therapies. The new site will also include iPSC manufacturing for research and development applications for drug discovery, drug efficacy, and pharmacology. The full site, including cell-therapy manufacturing, is slated to be operational in the spring of 2026.
Source: Fujifilm
Danaher Completes $5.7-BN Acquisition of Abcam
Danaher has completed its $5.7-billion acquisition of Abcam, a Cambridge, UK-based provider of antibodies and life-sciences reagents and tools.
The acquisition of Abcam for $24.00 per share in cash was implemented by way of a UK Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under the UK Companies Act 2006 and became effective in accordance with its terms on December 6, 2023. As a result, Abcam has become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Danaher.
Source: Danaher
Oxford Biomedica To Acquire ABL Europe for $16 M
Oxford Biomedica, an Oxford, UK-based CDMO of biologics, has agreed to acquire ABL Europe, an Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France-based CDMO of biologics, for EUR 15 million ($16 million).
The acquisition of ABL Europe will consolidate Oxford Biomedica’s operations into a global pure-play CDMO by establishing a footprint within the European Union through facilities located in Lyon and Strasbourg, France. In addition, the acquisition will increase Oxford Biomedica’s capacity in process and analytical development and early-stage manufacturing.
ABL Europe currently works on more than 10 cell- and gene-therapy programs spanning disease areas that include more than six different vector types.
Completion of the acquisition is expected in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction and/or waiver of outstanding conditions, including obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.
Source: Oxford Biomedica
Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing
Ardena Gets GMP License for New Fill–Finish Facility
Ardena, a Ghent, Belgium-based CDMO of drug substances and drug products, has been granted a GMP license by the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products for its new aseptic fill–finish facility in Ghent, Belgium.
The CDMO now has capacity for large-molecule biologics, including proteins, next-to oligonucleotides (DNA, recombinant RNA, synthetic RNA, RNA vaccines), and peptides.
Source: Ardena
Hovione, IDC Partner for Nasal Drug Delivery Device
Hovione, a CDMO of drug substances and drug products, has entered an agreement with Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC), a medical product design and development consultancy, for nasal powder delivery devices. Hovione and IDC have been working together to accelerate the development and commercialization of two new active nasal powder delivery devices, one single-use and one multidose.
Source: Hovione
Experic Adds High-Potency Capsule-Filling Equipment
Experic, a Cranbury, New Jersey-based CDMO of drug products, has added capsule-filling equipment for high potency products (Harro Höfliger Modu-C CS Containment) at its New Jersey facility. The new equipment provides enhanced protection of employees and the environment from highly potent pharmaceutical products.
The new equipment, with a completely enclosed precision filling system, protects employees from exposure and offers in-containment, inline capsule polishing, 100% gross weight control, and a wet-in-place feature to minimize exposure risk during cleaning.
Source: Experic
