TOKYO - Asahi Kasei Medical has completed the construction of its third assembly plant for Planova virus removal filters.

Described as a 'smart' factory equipped with the latest automation equipment, the plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, has been designed to enhance the speed, quality and production efficiency of the company's filter technology.

The bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical consists of 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 has been identified of one of the Asahi Kasei Group’s key businesses expected to drive future growth.

Planova cellulose hollow-fibre membrane filters, developed specifically for removing viruses from biotherapeutic products, were launched in 1989, followed by Planova BioEX hydrophilic PVDF hollow-fibre membrane filters in 2009.

Both product lines have earned wide recognition among pharmaceutical manufacturers for their contribution to the safety of biopharmaceuticals, and their adoption has expanded worldwide.

A next-generation line of cellulose hollow-fibre 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.