News
Asahi Kasei Life Science begins operation
Apr 01, 2025
Being a premium partner for pharmaceutical companies by contributing to safety and productivity of pharmaceutical manufacture
Asahi Kasei has transferred*1 a majority of its shares in Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd., which operates blood purification business (hemodialysis and therapeutic apheresis) etc., having transferred other businesses such as Planova™ virus removal filters to the newly established Asahi Kasei Life Science Corp., as announced on September 18, 2024*2.
Asahi Kasei Life Science is focused on achieving growth by providing various products and services to the rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry with abundant future business opportunities, discerning market needs and business opportunities from multiple perspectives.
Products of Asahi Kasei Life Science such as Planova™ and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products contribute to improved safety and productivity for antibody drugs, plasma derivatives, nucleic acid drugs, etc. Recently launched products such as Planova™ FG1and THESYS™ SCS and ACS Columns in particular are highly evaluated by pharmaceutical companies. With sales expanding due to steadily increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, supply capacity for equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products was expanded in 2023 in Illinois, the U.S., and a new assembly plant for Planova™ was completed in 2024 in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. Asahi Kasei Life Science will continue to proactively invest in these products as the core drivers of its business.
To meet growing demand as pharmaceutical development and manufacturing functions increasingly trend toward horizontal specialization, Asahi Kasei Life Science will also continue to expand the contract research organization (CRO) testing services performed by Virusure of Austria, acquired in 2019, and Bionique of the U.S., acquired in 2021, as well as the biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business of Bionova of the U.S., acquired in 2022. In 2024, Bionova decided to launch a plasmid DNA business and establish a new pDNA facility in Texas. Work is progressing well, and the business is expected to grow by providing solutions for new modalities such as gene therapy and cell therapy.
Asahi Kasei Life Science is focused on achieving growth by providing various products and services to the rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry with abundant future business opportunities, discerning market needs and business opportunities from multiple perspectives.
Products of Asahi Kasei Life Science such as Planova™ and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products contribute to improved safety and productivity for antibody drugs, plasma derivatives, nucleic acid drugs, etc. Recently launched products such as Planova™ FG1and THESYS™ SCS and ACS Columns in particular are highly evaluated by pharmaceutical companies. With sales expanding due to steadily increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, supply capacity for equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products was expanded in 2023 in Illinois, the U.S., and a new assembly plant for Planova™ was completed in 2024 in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. Asahi Kasei Life Science will continue to proactively invest in these products as the core drivers of its business.
To meet growing demand as pharmaceutical development and manufacturing functions increasingly trend toward horizontal specialization, Asahi Kasei Life Science will also continue to expand the contract research organization (CRO) testing services performed by Virusure of Austria, acquired in 2019, and Bionique of the U.S., acquired in 2021, as well as the biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business of Bionova of the U.S., acquired in 2022. In 2024, Bionova decided to launch a plasmid DNA business and establish a new pDNA facility in Texas. Work is progressing well, and the business is expected to grow by providing solutions for new modalities such as gene therapy and cell therapy.
Comment from Ken Shinomiya, President of Asahi Kasei Life Science
I am thrilled for Asahi Kasei Life Science to start operations today. Focused on the field of life science centered on the bioprocess business, we aim to grow as a core business of the Healthcare sector, the main growth driver of the Asahi Kasei Group. We will contribute to the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry as a premium partner that provides innovative and reliable products and services to pharmaceutical companies.
*1 The share transfer to be performed in two steps. A transfer of 80% of Asahi Kasei Medical’s shares was completed today, with the remaining 20% to be transferred in a few years.
*2 Please refer to the press release dated September 18, 2024
“Notice of establishment of subsidiary, separation between consolidated subsidiaries, transfer of subsidiary and transfer of shares in Health Care”
https://www.asahi-kasei.com/news/2024/sf4t1800000001on-att/e240918.pdf
*2 Please refer to the press release dated September 18, 2024
“Notice of establishment of subsidiary, separation between consolidated subsidiaries, transfer of subsidiary and transfer of shares in Health Care”
https://www.asahi-kasei.com/news/2024/sf4t1800000001on-att/e240918.pdf
