Daiichi Sankyo to invest 15 billion yen in manufacturing for ADC portfolio

Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo (TYO: 458) said today that it is making an initial 15 billion yen (~$140 million) investment to optimize and enhance its manufacturing capabilities to support its growing antibody drug conjugate (ADC) pipeline.

"This strategic investment will bolster our leadership and expertise in ADC manufacturing, as we apply our proprietary ADC technology to more than two dozen biologics in preclinical or early stage development," said Katsumi Fujimoto, senior executive officer, head of the Supply Chain Division, Daiichi Sankyo. "Our manufacturing capacities will more than triple by 2021, affording us greater flexibility for research and development, and strengthening our anticipated future commercial production," he noted.

The company's investment will build new and refurbish manufacturing lines at three of the company's manufacturing plants in Japan. These improvements will optimize and expand the production of fully synthesized ADCs and ensure a stable supply for future investigational and commercial use.