Fujifilm Diosynth to manufacture ocriplasmin for ThromboGenics

In a second major deal in less than a month, Japanese firm Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies has added another licensed product to its list of commercial biopharmaceutical products to be made under contract at its UK facilities.

Following the announcement that Belgium-based ThromboGenics (Euronext Brussels: THR) has received US food and Drug Administration approval for the launch of Jetrea (ocriplasmin) in the USA for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA; The Pharma Letter October 19), Fujifilm Diosynth has struck a deal to manufacture the active ingredient for the ophthalmic agent.

The two companies announced a long-term commercial supply agreement for manufacture of the bulk substance in September 2010 when the product had completed its Phase III trials and have worked together to complete validation and establish a well characterised process.