In 2018, Japanese multinational conglomerate Fujifilm up and decided it wanted to become a major player in supplying cell and gene therapy manufacturing, so it purchased two key companies—one in the U.S. and in the other in Japan—to jump-start its goal.
Four years later, the spending spree continues: Fujifilm has gobbled up Shenandoah Biotechnology for an undisclosed sum, again to increase its cell and gene therapy capabilities.
The Warminster, Pennsylvania-based Shenandoah boosts Fujifilm's ability to produce recombinant proteins—especially growth factors and cytokines—used in manufacturing cell and gene therapies.
Shenandoah also comes with an upgraded cGMP facility with bio-command software, a new Tuttnauer autoclave sterilizer, a 16x16 ColdBox, and new air handling and RODI water systems, according to its website.
“Shenandoah Biotechnology’s portfolio of recombinant proteins complement our advanced cell culture solutions and expertise in bioprocessing, providing our collective customers a single point of access for their life science research, discovery, and cell and gene therapy needs,” Yutaka Yamaguchi, CEO of Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, said in a release.
Fujifilm said it welcomed “all members” of the Shenandoah team. The privately held company was established in 2006.
In 2018, Fujifilm dove headfirst into the cell and gene therapy supply business with its simultaneous acquisition of Irvine Scientific Sales of California and IS Japan for $800 million.
Then, in September of last year, Fujifilm completed construction of a 250,000-square-foot facility in Tilburg, Netherlands. The site produces dry powder media and liquid media along with other raw materials used in producing cell and gene therapies. It also gave Fujifilm Irvine Scientific a hub from which to serve its customers in Europe.