Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to establish new viral vector manufacturing facility in Boston

The $40 million investment marks the company's third viral vector manufacturing site

The new facility, which represents the third location for viral vector CDMO services provided by Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, is scheduled to begin process development operations in autumn 2021.

The company's decision to expand manufacturing capacity comes as a direct response to the growing viral vector sector, which is focused on using genes to treat or prevent disease.

The new facility will house experimental and analytical equipment for viral vector and advanced therapy process development, with contract manufacturing services for early phase clinical trials beginning at the site in fall 2023.

The CDMO chose the greater-Boston area to establish its new site for its high concentration of biopharmaceutical companies and academia innovating in the field of advanced therapies.

In 2014, Fujifilm Corporation established viral vector manufacturing offering at the Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ site in Texas, US. As the market for viral vectors has continued to expand, Fujifilm has invested a further 13 billion yen (approx. $120 million) in the Texas site to build a new process development facility and to expand existing manufacturing facilities.

More recently, in October last year, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies announced an investment to provide process and analytical development, and cGMP manufacturing of viral vectors in the UK.

“Together these three sites will enable us to respond to our customers’ needs to support their viral vector manufacturing process from early clinical stage through to commercialization, to ensure these life-saving treatments are available to patients in need,” said Martin Meeson, Chief Executive Officer, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies.