PR84941

BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Sekisui announces the decision to invest (GBP)14.4 Million in its biopharma

CDMO business aimed at cGMP microbial capacity expansion at the existing site

in Maidstone, Kent to be completed by the second half of 2022. This investment

follows the investment of $1.9 million in its new Bioprocess Innovation Centre,

completed in October 2019, and is part of a long-term investment strategy to

grow its share of the microbial biopharma CDMO market.

Logo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1220877/BioProduction_by_Sekisui_Diagnostics_Logo.jpg

Previously part of Genzyme Corporation, Sekisui Diagnostics' Enzyme business

launched its microbial biopharma CDMO service offering, BioProduction by

Sekisui (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870289-1&h=3560655670&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bioproduction-sekisui.com%2F&a=BioProduction+by+Sekisui

), in 2017, building on over 40 years' experience in this field. The facility

expansion and cGMP upgrades will enable Sekisui to take on drug substance

contract manufacturing for programs entering the clinical trial phase. The new

cGMP certified microbial fermentation and purification suites will accommodate

production scales up to 1,000L, complementing its existing capabilities which

range from 20L to 5,000L fermentation scale.

Sekisui has wide experience with projects from pre-clinical to

commercialization, including but not limited to recombinant systems such as E.

coli and Pichia pastoris, and 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.

"This investment represents our commitment to serve our Biopharma customers

with much needed cGMP microbial CDMO production capacity." said Robert

Schruender, President & CEO of Sekisui Diagnostics and Sekisui Medical Board

Member. "Over many years we have built both a technical and operational

competency and expertise in enzyme production and microbial fermentation. As

the Biopharma CDMO market grows, we aim to further leverage this capability to

grow our share in this market."

About Sekisui Diagnostics:

Sekisui Diagnostics is a global company committed to improving patients' lives

by providing innovative medical diagnostics to physicians and laboratories

through a global commercial network.  Product lines include clinical chemistry

and coagulation systems, reagents, rapid test kits and point-of-care systems.

The Enzyme business forms part of this group and, in addition to BioProduction

by Sekisui (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870289-1&h=3560655670&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bioproduction-sekisui.com%2F&a=BioProduction+by+Sekisui

), offers a broad portfolio of Diagnostic enzymes and critical raw materials (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2870289-1&h=4080344255&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sekisuidiagnostics.com%2Fproduct-category%2Fenzymes%2F&a=Diagnostic+enzymes+and+critical+raw+materials

).

SOURCE: Sekisui Diagnostics

CONTACT: Lisa Turner, Marketing Communications Director, +1 (858) 777-2660,

lisa.turner@sekisui-dx.com, www.sekisuidiagnostics.com