Fujifilm forks out $200m to bolster cell therapy capacity

The $200 million investment will be split across subsidiaries Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to support cell therapy demands.

Parent company Fujifilm Corporation cited the growing cell therapy market (expected to increase by over 30% annually from $3.3 billion in 2022) as a driver for the funding spread across two production units. Moreover, the investment aims to “significantly” expand its global cell therapy contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) capabilities.

The investment will fund developer and producer of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and iPSC-derived cells Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics’ new 175,000 square-foot headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. Once operational in spring 2026, the site will double the firm’s existing manufacturing capacity for the advancement and commercialization of iPSC-derived cell therapies for its customers.

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Additionally, the facility will include iPSC manufacturing for R&D activities, drug efficacy, and pharmacology. A spokesperson for Fujifilm told BioProcess Insider it had selected this location because of the “many talented individuals and projects connected to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.”

Part of the investment will also go towards CDMO Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ site expansion in Thousand Oaks, California. The expansion includes two independent production clean rooms and a development lab, which will up manufacturing capacity for client programs. Construction will begin at the site in 2024 and the added capacity is anticipated to be operational in early 2025.

“For Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies (California), our site is located near a major cluster of pharma, biotech, and venture capital (VC) firms. Our talent at the California site has deep experience in clinical and commercial manufacturing needed for the site,” the spokesperson said.

The Wisconsin site plans to add around 60 employees by 2026 “with the potential to add up to 200 in the future,” and the Thousand Oaks site will create approximately 100 jobs.

Overall, the investment aims to bolster Fujifilm’s manufacturing capacity to support iPSC-derived cell therapies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), T-cell receptor (TCR), cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), natural killer (NK) and tissue-derived therapies.

“Market growth is expected over the medium-to-long term, with growth anticipated of more than 30% per year, and with this growth, Fujifilm will continue to provide its cell therapy expertise to support its partners in manufacturing capabilities,” said the spokesperson.

Last month Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics expanded its license agreement with Century to develop and commercialize cell therapies derived from iPSCs. While this deal is not “directly connected” to the investment announcement, the spokesperson said this speaks “to Fujifilm’s leadership in the cell therapy manufacturing space.”