FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Expands in Denmark

The Danish life science industry is receiving another boost as FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies celebrates its recent production expansion in Denmark.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for the biopharmaceutical industry.

This first expansion at the site increases capacity from six to twelve bioreactors for mammalian cell culture, making it the largest end-to-end biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Europe.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion took place in 2020.

"This first expansion of our site in Hillerød sets the stage for future developments, which will also extend to the USA, United Kingdom, and Japan," said Lars Petersen, President and Chief Executive Officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.

"By investing in state-of-the-art facilities on both sides of the Atlantic and prioritising our employees, we are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our partners and patients.

"This is just the beginning. With our Partners for Life strategy, we are dedicated to fulfilling our promises and ensuring that our global network supports the production of life-changing medicines that improve patients' lives." 

Christian Houborg, Site head and Senior Vice pPesident for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies echoes Lars's statements, adding that:

"Our activities in Hillerød reflect our commitment to being the leading contract manufacturer globally, or a Partner for Life, as we call it, by supporting our clients and their patients worldwide.

"This expansion demonstrates our vision to launch strong production capabilities in the global biopharmaceutical industry, ensuring the timely delivery of critical therapies to those in need worldwide." 

Driving the growth of the Danish life science sector

The expansion of the company’s production in Hillerød highlights the robust trajectory of the Danish life science sector.

The industry has been a remarkable Danish success story, marked by massive growth, steadily increasing exports, and the creation of thousands of new jobs in recent years.

Since 2019, the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in Hillerød has grown from 750 employees to approximately 1,800, with around 20 per cent of the workforce coming from abroad, representing over 70 nationalities.

This growth underscores the international appeal and strategic importance of the site within the global life science industry.

The expansion of the company’s production in Hillerød highlights the robust trajectory of the Danish life science sector.

The industry has been a remarkable Danish success story, marked by massive growth, steadily increasing exports, and the creation of thousands of new jobs in recent years.

Since 2019, the FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in Hillerød has grown from 750 employees to approximately 1,800, with around 20 per cent of the workforce coming from abroad, representing over 70 nationalities.

This growth underscores the international appeal and strategic importance of the site within the global life science industry.

FUJIFILM: A growing pharmaceutical leader

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, has established itself over the last thirty years as a world-leading contract development and manufacturing partner for biological drugs, vaccines, and advanced therapies.

Its origins date back to 1997 when Diosynth - a subsidiary of Dutch pharmaceutical company Akzo Nobel - began operations specialising in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

In 2011, FUJIFILM Corporation, seeking to diversify and expand its presence in healthcare and biotechnology, acquired Diosynth along with MSD Biologics which was a mammalian cell culture focused subsidiary of Merck & Co. 

This acquisition marked FUJIFILM’s entry into the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market.

Today, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies specialises in the development and production of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, viral products, and medical countermeasures, using a diverse array of microbial, mammalian, and host/virus systems.

Operating a global network with major sites in the USA, United Kingdom, and Denmark, the manufacturer is also building a new production facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA.

This latest expansion in Denmark further demonstrates the company’s commitment to driving growth and innovation within the global life science industry.

"One must tip their hat to FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and their impressive journey, of which this expansion is the latest evidence. It is a company that contributes both through their production and growth to Danish society," says Brian Mikkelsen, CEO of Dansk Erhverv.

That is something to celebrate."

Brian goes on to say that the manufacturer is driving real development in the life science industry through its expansion, introducing vital strategic value. 

"The life science industry has the potential to double exports by 2030, but this requires us to continue supporting the industry with favorable framework conditions," he adds. 

"Therefore, I am happy that we have now also received a new life science strategy that improves the framework for Danish production, research, and development," says Brian Mikkelsen.

He also reminds us that the life science industry is a very international sector, and good Danish framework conditions cannot stand alone.

"Danish life science has experienced explosive progress, but at the EU level, the sector is falling behind compared to China and the USA in terms of clinical trials, investments in research and development, and access to early capital," he concludes.

"Therefore, there is a need for a European life science strategy that can help strengthen the sector's competitiveness in the international competition."

The expansion and investment pursued by FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies will play a critical role in helping to build this strategy for the future.

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