Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, a leading provider of biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing services, and Olon S.p.A. (“Olon”) have entered into a strategic partnership to deliver innovative, large-scale drug substance manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, leveraging Aji Bio-Pharma’s microbial CORYNEX® peptide and protein manufacturing platform and Olon’s large-scale microbial fermentation capabilities.

This collaboration combines Aji Bio-Pharma’s expertise in microbial strain and process development with Olon’s large-scale GMP manufacturing expertise utilizing fermenters with a capacity of over 100,000 liters. The partnership will accelerate productive and sustainable manufacturing of high-demand proteins and peptides such as GLP-1 analogs which play a critical role in treating obesity and type II diabetes.

Executive Quotes

“By joining forces, we can accelerate the development and supply of advanced peptides and proteins, supporting our customers and improving patient outcomes in a sustainable manner,” said Yasuyuki Otake, Corporate Executive, General Manager, Bio-Pharma Services Dept., Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Andrea Conforto, S&M – VP CDMO Biotech, Olon S.p.A., added, “Together, we provide a seamless path from development to large-scale commercial manufacturing, setting new standards for quality and sustainability in the industry.”

Joint Statement on Sustainability

“Sustainability is at the heart of our partnership,” said Yasuyuki Otake and Andrea Conforto. “By combining environmentally friendly production with efficient and scalable large-scale fermentation, we aim to reduce the environmental footprint of biologics manufacturing to benefit our customers, the patients, and society as a whole.”

CORYNEX®, based on the gram-positive bacteria C. glutamicum, can drastically streamline the manufacturing process since it can secrete soluble and biologically active targets directly into the media with high titers and purity, is scalable, fast-growing, non-endotoxic, non-pathogenic, non-sporulating, and doesn’t require an expression inducer like IPTG or methanol. Olon combines extensive expertise in microbial fermentation for CDMO and proprietary products, including high-potent or toxic compounds using high-containment systems. With fermenters ranging from 1–255 m³ and a total capacity of 5,000 m³, Olon is one of Europe’s largest third-party microbial fermentation producers.