FUJIFILM Biotechnologies opens new QC lab in Denmark

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ is expanding its QC capabilities with a new, 2,000m² quality control laboratory for bioassay and virology operations at its manufacturing site in Hillerød, Denmark.

Approximately 100 quality personnel will facilitate projects through viral safety testing for drug substance/product release, scale capacity for complex cell‑based potency and ELISA methods and perform raw material and critical total organic carbon cleanability studies.

Advanced systems including robotics and LIMS, which enable digital harmonisation and data integrity implemented across FUJIFILM’s global network, will support cross-site functionality and consistent operations.

Christian Houborg, Senior Vice President, and Hillerød Site Head, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies said: “With the expansion of our Hillerød site in late 2024, the site doubled its size from six bioreactors to 12 x 20,000 L bioreactors.

“…[An] open‑plan layout, advanced ventilation, and dedicated personnel and material airlocks create a comfortable and flexible workspace for our approximately 100 quality colleagues”, supports the continued manufacture of advanced biological treatments for severe diseases, such as cancer and rare autoimmune diseases.

FUJIFILM’s new laboratory will commence operations next month.

In 2023, Novo Nordisk also expanded its manufacturing capabilities in Hillerød, through an investment of €2.1 billion. The 65,000m², multi-product facility producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), provides flexibility to accommodate new processes and integrate cutting edge technology. It is expected to open in the first half of 2026.

In February, FUJIFILM biotechnologies also opened its expanded its UK biomanufacturing site for vaccines and medicines. Addition of two new single-use bioreactors for antibody manufacturing at the site in Teeside, supports “enhanced scalability, speed to market, and cross-site technology transfer”, Lars Petersen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fujifilm Biotechnologies noted at the time. This enhanced capacity is similar to that at its new QC laboratory in Denmark.