Officials at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies say the CDMO has formed a new strategic business unit (SBU) structure to provide tailored support to large- and small-scale biopharmaceutical customers by aligning unique service offerings and manufacturing capacities.

“We are confident this new structure will help to advance our customers’ goals while also creating new, exciting opportunities for growth,” notes Toshi Iida, corporate vice president of FUJIFILM and chairman of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.

The Large-Scale SBU is designed to meet the needs of clients who need access to high-volume cell culture production utilizing multiples of 20,000 L bioreactors. These suites provide efficiencies of scale with high throughput, adds Iida.

The Small-Scale SBU provides support for clients as they navigate the regulatory matrix of preclinical, early clinical Phase I and II, late clinical Phase III, as well as those progressing to regulatory approval and commercial production. The production volume utilizes bioreactors ranging from 200 L to 2,000 L as well as single-use manufacturing systems.

“This SBU model will create long-term value for our customers and allow us to cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships and maximize efficiencies across our network,” said Lars Petersen, president and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. “Our leadership and teams will play a key role in providing end-to-end support and driving continued success for our customers.”

Unit details

The Large-Scale SBU will be led by Kenneth Bilenberg, executive vice president, and will encompass the company’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Hillerød, Denmark as well as the facility under construction in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Across these two sites, Bilenberg will be responsible for management, operations and performance for cell culture drug substance production complemented by drug product and finished goods services.

The Small-Scale SBU will be led by Lee Kingsbury, executive vice president, and will be comprised of the company’s sites in Teesside, UK, as well as Research Triangle Park, NC; College Station, TX; Watertown, MA; and Thousand Oaks, CA. This SBU provides service offerings for biologics, cell and gene therapies, oncolytic viruses and viral vaccines, as well as ancillary services such as process characterization and process development.

The business will also be supported by the newly established Strategy & Executive Office which will be led by Peter Dam Madsen, who has been appointed as vice president. Madsen will be responsible for “directing the company’s global business strategy and key strategic initiatives to deliver global business priorities and unlock the resources to help drive market development and future growth,” according to a company statement.

Bilenberg’s and Madsen’s appointments are effective immediately. Kingsbury will join FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies effective September 4.