BioYork partners with Fujifilm to launch centre of excellence in bioprocessing

The centre is a collaboration between Fujifilm, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester and the University of York.

The initiative was jointly designed by Fujifilm and partners to address challenges and opportunities in bioprocessing.

Innovation initiative

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Centre of Excellence in Bioprocessing 2.0 is an extension of Fujifilm’s global innovation initiatives, which build on the organisation’s experience in the development and manufacture of recombinant biopharmaceuticals and gene therapies.

The centre was formally announced on 31 January 2019 at the IBioIC Annual Conference 2019: Industrial Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future.

Industrial impact

The new partnership is part of York’s world leading bioeconomy initiative BioYork.

Professor Robert White, Chair of Biochemistry, will lead the York component of the centre of excellence. He said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to enhance the industrial impact of our research, building on the University of York's strength in biotechnology.”

Professor Ian Graham, Director of BioYork, said, “BioYork aims to translate and transform cutting-edge research into technologies, processes and products across the bioeconomy. This partnership is a great example of how we can work with industry and other academic partners.”

World-class expertise

Dr Jen Vanderhoven, Fujifilm’s Vice President of Global Business Change, said: “Our aim is to link fundamental research and world class expertise to the business needs of Fujifilm. We are creating an innovation engine that drives new processes, efficiencies, products and services.”

The centre will begin activities in February 2019.