Sekisui Diagnostics' Enzyme business will complete a new BioProcess Innovation Centre at its site in Maidstone, Kent by the end of 2019, following a US$1.9 million investment. This investment is part of a long-term investment strategy to grow its share of the microbial biopharma CDMO market, with future investment expected to focus on expanding cGMP manufacturing capabilities.
Previously part of Genzyme Diagnostics, and now part of Sekisui Chemical Co, Sekisui Diagnostics' Enzyme business launched its microbial biopharma CDMO service offering, BioProduction by Sekisui, in 2017.
The new BioProcess Innovation Centre will more than double its development laboratory space to facilitate process transfer and development. Specialised in expression and purification from microbial fermentation, the group has wide experience, including but not limited to recombinant systems such as E. coli and Pichia pastoris, with associated purification and analytical technologies. Its main expertise lies in the production of enzymes, however its capabilities are also suitable for plasmids, antibody fragments, and other protein production.
With production capabilities from 20 L to 5,000 L, Sekisui handles projects from pre-clinical through to commercialisation.
"Over many years we have built both a technical and operational competency and expertise in enzyme production and microbial fermentation," said Robert Schruender, President & CEO of Sekisui Diagnostics and Sekisui Medical Board Member. "As the Biopharma CDMO market grows, we aim to further leverage this capability to grow our share in this market. This investment represents our commitment to serve our customers with innovative process development solutions."