Nitto to Invest $226 Million to Expand Oligonucleotide Manufacturing in Massachusetts

Rare Daily Staff

Nitto Denko, an Osaka, Japan-based manufacturer of oligonucleotide therapeutic, said it will invest approximately $226 million (¥25 billion) in its subsidiary Nitto Denko Avecia and other related business to expand manufacturing capacity in response to the rapid market expansion of oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Since the acquisition of Avecia in 2011, Nitto has continued to invest in resources in order to provide comprehensive value in raw material manufacturing, contract manufacturing of the drug substance, final formulation, contract manufacturing of drug product, and analytical services.

At Avecia headquarters in Milford, Massachusetts, Avecia is expanding process and analytical development of oligonucleotide therapeutic manufacturing, based on its experience in handling more than 1,200 oligonucleotide sequences, to enhance its manufacturing process design services.

Avecia will also establish a new building and production line for commercial manufacturing of the drug substance in order to secure sufficient supply for commercial scales. The process development building is scheduled to start operations in 2021 and the commercial manufacturing building and production line are scheduled to start operations in early 2023.

Future plans include an addition $226 million (¥25 billion) investment to further increase the supply capacity of the polymer support used for oligonucleotide therapeutic manufacturing and expand the production line of oligonucleotide therapeutics for early clinical scales.

By strengthening its capacity, Nitto said it can handle manufacturing from initial stages of development to commercial scales. This will allow Nitto to support the rapidly growing oligonucleotide therapeutic market and contribute to creating a safe and healthy society.