FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., which is a leading global developer and manufacturer of human-induced pluripotent stem cells – iPSCs, observed the grand opening of its new headquarters as well as iPSC development and manufacturing facility in its Madison home.
The new site is anticipated to increase the iPSC-based research products and services manufacturing footprint of the company by four times and also extend capabilities throughout the research product portfolio of the FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics. The facility is intended for scalability for a variety of processes, right from investigational drug manufacturing to commercial production in relation to projected demand in terms of contract manufacturing of cell therapy products.
It is worth noting that iPSC development and manufacturing facility will increase manufacturing for the iPSC-derived iCell product lines of the company that are becoming more prevalent in the new approach methods NAMs of drug discovery.
According to the director, corporate vice president, general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, Toshihisa Iida, “Completion of this facility comes at a critical time in the iPSC field, where FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics has been setting industry standards for more than 20 years. This new facility enables us to respond to growing demand from pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and academia engaged in new drug research and development, further delivering on our commitment to the development of life-changing medical treatments and to the people who will benefit from them.”
Apparently, the interest in shifting from animal testing to NAMs has increased in the past few years based upon regulatory guidance in the US and Europe. In this context, the utilisation of differentiated cells produced from iPS cells that more faithfully reproduce human biological functions is being progressively adopted for safety and efficacy evaluation in the preclinical phase when it comes to drug development.
The building, which is a part of a previously disclosed $200 million strategic investment by Fujifilm, is 175,000 square feet and is equipped with cutting-edge capabilities, including cell culture manufacturing laboratories and process development laboratories as well as a center of excellence for gene editing that will facilitate both research-grade iPSC products and development services for partners creating next-generation cell therapies. The increased capacity will drive development and production, as well as commercialization initiatives across the FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics’ portfolio.
Notably, the opening of this facility is an exciting achievement for FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics and also an important next step to scale the infrastructure that will be required to promote the next generation of iPSC-based research and therapeutics in the U.S., said the president and CEO of FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Tomoyuki Hasegawa.
He added that, “By expanding our development and manufacturing capabilities, we can better support partners working to translate stem cell science into real clinical impact. Our research portfolio additionally supports drug discovery across all therapeutic modalities, thus truly embodying our ‘Partners for Life’ brand.”
The ribbon-cutting celebration that took place on May 21, 2026, was attended by Fujifilm leadership as well as public officials from state and local government such as Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Acting Consul General of Japan Naoya Kishi, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Deputy Secretary Sam Rikkers, and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.
Gov. Evers said that “FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics is a Wisconsin success story. “Thanks to James Thomson’s pioneering stem cell research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, collaboration between our state’s public and private sectors, and global partnerships to carry this innovation forward, we are celebrating not only the growth of one company but also our state’s leadership throughout the fields of biohealth and biotechnology.”
Said COO, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Delara Motlagh, “This facility reflects our commitment to reinforcing Madison’s position as a global center for stem cell innovation. “The expanded footprint highlights the strength of the region’s biotechnology ecosystem while advancing regenerative medicine by supporting customers worldwide. We are a truly global company, headquartered in Madison.”