Fujifilm to buy Merck Biomanufacturing Network

Published: 28-Feb-2011

Includes contract manufacturing and service subsidiaries Diosynth and MSD Billingham


Fujifilm Corporation is set to buy two biopharmaceutical contract manufacturers from US pharmaceutical firm for around JPY40bn (US$490m), expanding its position in the healthcare sector.

The Japanese film and camera manufacturer said it would acquire all shares in two Merck subsidiaries, Diosynth, based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US and MSD Biologics in Billingham, UK, which together comprise the Merck BioManufacturing Network.

As part of the agreement Merck MSD has committed to certain continued development and manufacturing activities with these two companies.

Shigetaka Komori, president and chief executive of Fujifilm Corporation said the acquisition ‘provides an important addition to our pharmaceutical business with diverse capabilities and technical expertise in production of protein therapeutics’.

Fujifilm Corporation is one of the major operating companies of Fujifilm Holdings and since it was founded in 1934, has built up advanced technologies in the field of photo imaging. In line with its aim to become a comprehensive healthcare company, Fujifilm is now applying these technologies to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the medical and life science fields.

Fujifilm is also expanding in the functional materials business, including flat panel displays, and in the graphic systems and optical devices businesses.

You may also like