- Asahi Kasei Bioprocess (AKB) and Axolabs have partnered to build a new oligonucleotide cGMP manufacturing facility in Berlin.
- Operations at the newly built facility are planned to commence in late 2024.
Asahi Kasei Bioprocess (AKB), a part of the Asahi Kasei Group, and Axolabs have announced their partnership to construct a new oligonucleotide cGMP manufacturing facility in Berlin. The facility, spanning an impressive 59,000 square feet, is a significant step towards accelerating the development and commercialisation of oligonucleotide-based therapies.
Oligonucleotide therapies offer a targeted approach to modulating gene expression, splicing, and protein production. These therapies hold the potential to treat a wide range of diseases at the genetic level, providing new treatment options for patients. The escalating demand for these therapeutics has led Axolabs, a Contract Research Development & Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO), to establish this new GMP manufacturing hub.
The facility will utilise the unique expertise of Asahi Kasei Bioprocess, specialising in oligosynthesis equipment, and Axolabs. It is designed to accommodate a wide range of production scales and will benefit from AKB’s robust suite of oligo manufacturing equipment. This equipment covers all upstream and downstream manufacturing unit operations from synthesis to concentration.
Chris Rombach, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Asahi Kasei Bioprocess, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to join forces with Axolabs in this transformative endeavour. Our combined technical expertise and strategic alignment will bolster our commitment to meet and exceed the growing needs of the oligonucleotide therapeutics field.”
Thomas Rupp, Managing Director of Technology & Production at Axolabs, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Partnering with AKB provides a unique opportunity to blend our respective strengths. We are confident that this collaboration will foster innovation and drive the production of high-quality oligonucleotide therapeutics.”
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