Eisai Limited commences new biologics plant construction

Eisai Limited has commenced the construction of a new pilot biologics manufacturing plant, which is designed to support its development of antibodies for the global market.

The company’s Morphotek subsidiary broke ground on the planned 60,000 sq ft facility in Pennsylvania, which is intended to be completed next year in advance of full operations beginning in 2012.

It will be used to produce biologics which can be utilised in preclinical and clinical trials, underpinning the company’s desire to achieve continuous clinical introduction of new antibody therapies.

The firm said: “Eisai aims to shorten development time by building a more efficient system for product development, thereby ensuring the timely delivery of therapeutic antibody products that address the unmet medical needs of patients.”

Earlier this month, the healthcare company launched Travelmin Churop Lemon Flavour, an orally-administered remedy for motion sickness, which follows the introduction of a grape-flavoured variant last year.