FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics has opened its new headquarters and iPSC development and manufacturing facility in Madison, US.
The firm said the new site is expected to quadruple its manufacturing footprint for iPSC-based research products and services, as well as expand capabilities across its research product portfolio.
It added that this was in preparation for future increases in demand for contract manufacturing of cell therapy products.
The site will also expand manufacturing of Fujifilm's iPSC-derived iCell product lines, which the company said are increasingly being used for new approach methods (NAMs) in drug discovery, following regulatory changes in the US and Europe that have heightened interest in non-animal-based testing.
"Completion of this facility comes at a critical time in the iPSC field, where FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics has been setting industry standards for more than 20 years," said Toshihisa Iida, Director, Corporate Vice President, General Manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan.
This new facility enables us to respond to growing demand from pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and academia engaged in new drug research and development.
The 175,000 sqft building is just one part of the brand's previously announced $200m strategic investment into its US manufacturing capabilities.
It integrates state-of-the-art capabilities, including cell culture manufacturing laboratories, process development laboratories and a centre of excellence for gene editing.
"The opening of this facility is an exciting milestone for FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and represents a crucial next step for scaling the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of iPSC-based research and therapeutics in the US," added Tomoyuki Hasegawa, President and CEO of FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics.
By expanding our development and manufacturing capabilities, we can better support partners working to translate stem cell science into real clinical impact.
"Our research portfolio additionally supports drug discovery across all therapeutic modalities, thus truly embodying our ‘Partners for Life’ brand."
The ribbon-cutting celebration was attended by Fujifilm's leadership and state and local public officials, including Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Deputy Secretary Sam Rikkers of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Acting Consul General of Japan Naoya Kishi and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.
Gov. Evers called the firm a "Wisconsin success story," adding: "We are celebrating not only the growth of one company, but our state's leadership throughout the fields of biohealth and biotechnology."
"This facility reflects our commitment to reinforcing Madison's position as a global centre for stem cell innovation," said Delara Motlagh, COO, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics.
The expanded footprint highlights the strength of the region's biotechnology ecosystem while advancing regenerative medicine by supporting customers worldwide. We are a truly global company, headquartered in Madison.