Eisai (OTCMKTS:ESALY) has announced that it has completed the construction of a new research building dedicated to the formulation of injectable drugs at the Kawashima Industrial Park located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
The Eisai Medicine Innovation Technology Solutions (EMITS) facility will serve as Eisai’s global headquarters for formulation and research.
Traditionally focusing on small molecules, Eisai has ramped up its focus on drug discovery targets to include antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and nucleic acid drugs.
The EMITS facility will conduct research on injectable drug formulation and drug delivery systems. In particular, Eisai plans to explore liposomal and lipid nanoparticle formulations.
Eisai plans to use AI to enhance drug formulation.
It also aims to manufacture investigational injectable drugs at the facility for clinical trials and develop rapid microbial testing methods for microbiological control and sterility assurance.
Finally, it plans to use the facility to enable collaborative research with external partners.
Eisai invested about ¥10 billion (about $69.4 million) in the new facility.
The Kawashima Industrial Park is home to Eisai’s global pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
ESALY shares were up 0.34% to $52.45 in mid-day trading.
Eisai recently made headlines for announcing with its partner Biogen (Nasdaq:BIIB) positive topline data from a Phase 3 study of the antibody lecanemab in Alzheimer’s patients.
The companies announced that lecanemab slowed cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients by 27% after 18 months.
Both companies saw their share price surge after announcing the data. Biogen shares were up 35%, while Eisai’s were up 32% last week.
While drug developers have long sought to develop amyloid-plaque-reducing therapies, none have successfully developed a drug that has widespread use.
Biogen and Eisai won FDA approval for the controversial antibody Aduhelm (aducanumab), but sales of the therapy have been meager.
In April 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decided to limit coverage for aducanumab to clinical trial participants.