AGC and Medinet sign agreement for cell therapy CDMO business

A new initiative to contribute to enhancing drug discovery capabilities in the field of gene and cell therapy in Japan

AGC, the parent company of AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical CDMO and Medinet have signed a strategic partnership agreement in the cell therapy CDMO business.

AGC and Medinet have agreed to exchange and train manufacturing and quality human resources from both companies in order to complement Medinet's capabilities with AGC Biologics' global network, and vice versa.

Initially, AGC will send talents to Medinet to build knowledge of this business in Japan by supporting MEDINET's operations, which has extensive experience in working with Japan based start-ups and academia, and to prepare for the launch of cell therapy CDMO services in Japan at the AGC Biologics’ Yokohama site, scheduled for 2026 (Part of the service will begin in 2025).

The collaboration with AGC Biologics’ Sites, which have large-scale, global development and commercial stage manufacturing capabilities, will enable Medinet to provide a wide range of services in its CDMO business and further expand its drug discovery and development business. The two companies will continue to discuss ways to work together effectively, including further expanding the scope of the collaboration.

AGC's strength lies in providing a wide range of services from early development to commercialization, based on its extensive commercial track record in Japan, Europe and the U.S. and its cutting-edge technological capabilities, while Medinet's strength lies in its many years of experience in the cell processing business, its network with Japan based medical institutions, academia and start-ups, and its capability for development projects.

By combining their respective strengths, the two companies aim to improve the quality of their services to customers and contribute to the enhancement of Japan's drug discovery capabilities.