Chugai makes changes to restructuring plan

Chugai Pharmaceutical has confirmed changes to its production system restructuring plan that was initially announced in February 2005.

The company is to withdraw plans to close its Ukima plant in Tokyo and will now adopt a three-plant production system composed of the Ukima plant as well as the Utsunomiya and Fujideda plants.

Originally the company was to change its production line from a five-plant system to a two plant-system.

Chugai has stated that it is to continue operation at its Ukima plant as a result of expected increased efficiencies with the utilisation of the company’s current assets and resources compared to the initial integration plan.

Following the modification of the restructuring plan, the Ukima plant will continue to produce bulk material for Chugai’s biological products such as Epogin and Neutogin.

However, the production of solid-form drugs will be transferred from Ukima to the company’s Fujieda plant where all stages of production will be integrated to form an intensive plant for the manufacture of synthetic drugs.

Also this week, Chugai announced that its antibiotic Rocephin (ceftriaxone) has had its approval extended to include once-daily administration in children.