Asahi Kasei Medical has completed the construction of its third assembly plant for Planova™ virus removal filters in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, and held its completion ceremony on May 24, 2024.

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Planova™ S20N (left), Planova™ BioEX (right) (Photo: Business Wire)

The bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical comprises Planova™ virus removal filters and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products such as biopharmaceuticals and plasma derivatives, biosafety testing services, and biopharmaceutical CDMO operations. It is one of the Asahi Kasei Group’s businesses to drive future growth.

Planova™ cellulose hollow-fiber membrane filters, developed specifically for removing viruses from biotherapeutic products, were launched in 1989, followed by Planova™ BioEX hydrophilic PVDF hollow-fiber membrane filters in 2009. Both product lines have earned wide recognition among pharmaceutical manufacturers for their outstanding contribution to the safety of biopharmaceuticals, and their adoption has expanded worldwide. A next-generation line of cellulose hollow-fiber membrane filters, Planova™ S20N, was launched in 2022 featuring robust virus removal capability and simplified operation, and has been highly regarded among customers.

With heightened standards throughout the world for the viral safety of biotherapeutics and advances in the development of monoclonal antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals, global demand for virus removal filters is expected to continue growing. To further ensure stable supply, Asahi Kasei Medical has been proactively expanding production capacity for Planova™ including the 2019 completion of a new spinning plant for Planova™ in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, and the 2021 decision to expand its spinning plant for Planova™ BioEX filters in Oita, Japan, in addition to the assembly plant completion announced today.

Asahi Kasei Medical will continue to support biotherapeutics manufacturers by enabling them to safely and efficiently manufacture products that patients can trust through innovative and exceptionally reliable bioprocess consumables and equipment, as well as scientific support and biosafety testing services.

Outline of the new Planova™ assembly plant

Location: Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan

Construction period: Groundbreaking in August 2022, completion in May 2024

For more information, visit https://planova.ak-bio.com/

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its health care operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.

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