Kyowa Kirin, a Tokyo-based bio/pharmaceutical company, has announced that the company is planning cuts in small-molecule drug research as well as related chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) activity as it strategically emphasizes a focus on biologics.   

As part of this strategy, the company is planning what it calls a “significant” reduction in its in-house small molecule drug discovery research activities as well as a reduction in CMC research and quality-related activities resulting from the discontinuation of related projects.  

Kyowa Kirin is making the cuts as part of its “Story for Vision 2030″ strategic plan, which the company announced in February (February 2024). That plan includes a focus on advanced antibody technologies and hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies with a therapeutic focus on bone and mineral areas, hematologic cancers / intractable hematologic diseases, and rare diseases.  

“We aim to strengthen our efforts in these priority areas and modalities and will proceed with transitioning to a global research organization to achieve that,” said the company in a August 1, 2024, press release.  

As part of its restructuring, the company is introducing a temporary voluntary retirement program in its Research Division, the Production Division’s CMC R&D Center, and certain groups in the Quality Division’s Global CMC Quality Unit. 

Kyowa Kirin’s cuts in its from small-molecule research activities and emphasis on biologics is also reflected in the company’s manufacturing plans. The company announced in June (June 2024) that it is investing $530 million to build a new biomanufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina. Construction of the 15,951-square-meter, two-bioreactor facility is scheduled to break ground in the third quarter of 2024 and is slated to be completed in 2027. 

The facility will manufacture biologic therapies, including antibodies, for Kyowa Kirin’s planned clinical trials and future commercial use. Additional land will allow for future expansion, should the company’s portfolio necessitate greater capacity as its pipeline programs advance. 

Source: Kyowa Kirin