Fujifilm Irvine Scientific Expands Cell Culture R&D Center

Fujifilm is expanding its Armstrong R&D Center of Excellence at its headquarters in California, the company announced in a Nov. 10, 2021, press release. The expansion supports Fujifilm Irvine Scientific’s discovery research and its specialty media, technologies, and custom media services.

“With society’s increasing demand for global access to more high-quality, cost-effective vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, cell-based therapies, gene therapies, and in-vitro fertilization procedures, the need for a broadened focus on innovation is pivotal to expedite critical product and technology development,” said Bob Newman, chief scientific officer, Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, in the press release. “The expansion project will more than double the R&D facility’s footprint and will allow for more enhanced technical collaboration between R&D experts and customers to develop personalized solutions and enhance partnership opportunities.”

The expansion supports the company’s initiatives in manufacturing sciences and technologies, single-use technology development, and automation platforms for media development. The expanded footprint will also include dedicated space for analytical chemistry, virology, assisted reproductive technology, and cell-culture and molecular-based assay development. Facility construction began in October and is planned for completion by January 2022. The company expects to double its R&D headcount by the close of 2022.