Integration of Bioprocess Businesses in North America
As part of a strategic program of expansion and development of its worldwide
bioprocess business,* Asahi Kasei Medical will integrate its US-based Planova™
filter and bioprocess equipment businesses into a single business entity, Asahi
Kasei Bioprocess, Inc., on January 1, 2010.
Context and objectives of the integration
Asahi Kasei Medical manufactures and markets Planova™ hollow-fiber virus
removal filters for use in the production of biotherapeutics. Planova™ filters are
supplied to North American markets via an import business division of Asahi
Kasei Medical America Inc. On March 1, 2009, Asahi Kasei Medical entered the
bioprocess equipment manufacturing business with the acquisition of assets of
TechniKrom, Inc. by its US subsidiary Asahi Kasei TechniKrom, Inc.
Asahi Kasei TechniKrom has worked closely with Asahi Kasei Medical on the
commercialization of equipment for use with the latter’s bioprocess membranes,
and there is broad customer overlap between the two companies’ respective
bioprocess product families in the US market. The integration of the US-based
bioprocess filter and equipment businesses will therefore facilitate synergies in
the form of increased operational efficiency and effectiveness resulting from
unified sales and technical/scientific support functions. The start of integrated
operations of Asahi Kasei Bioprocess will thus mark a major advance in the
strategic expansion and development of the bioprocess business for Asahi Kasei Medical.
Expansion and development of the bioprocess business
In recent years, demand for biotherapeutics manufactured using biotechnology
such as genetic engineering and cell culture has grown strongly, resulting in
rising demand for advanced technologies that enable the safe production of highquality biotherapeutics. Planova™ hollow-fiber filters from Asahi Kasei Medical – which remove harmful viruses during biotherapeutic manufacture – are highly rated by the world’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers for their outstanding quality and performance, particularly in the area of plasma-derived therapeutics, where they have earned clear market leadership. Asahi Kasei Medical’s entry to the bioprocess equipment market with subsidiary Asahi Kasei TechniKrom has further reinforced its presence within the bioprocess industry.
The integration of its North American bioprocess operations is a key facet of Asahi Kasei Medical’s ongoing expansion and development of business in the growing bioprocess industry. Asahi Kasei Medical will continue to leverage the
many outstanding technologies of the Asahi Kasei Group to commercialize
superior products and equipment such as Planova™ BioEX, a new virus removal
filter launched in June 2009 that enables the virus filtration of highconcentration
protein solutions.
Profile of Asahi Kasei Bioprocess, Inc.
President: Louis J. Bellafiore
Headquarters: 1855 Elmdale Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026 USA
Employees: Approximately 50
Share structure: 100% subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
Establishment: September 19, 2008
Operations: R&D, manufacture, and sale of bioprocess-related equipment;
import and sale of Planova™ virus removal filters; technical
and scientific service and support
* Asahi Kasei Medical’s bioprocess business comprises process membranes,
equipment, and systems for use in the manufacture of biotherapeutics, i.e.
medicines obtained through biological processes utilizing techniques such as
genetic engineering and cell culture rather than being synthesized with chemical
processes. Examples of biotherapeutics include plasma derivatives and protein
therapeutics such as interferon, growth hormones, erythropoietin, and
monoclonal antibodies.