Ajinomoto Inc enters licensing agreement with Astellas Pharma for biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing technology

CAR-T Digest - August 2020

31 October 2025: Ajinomoto Inc enters licensing agreement with Astellas Pharma for biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing technology

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. for the use of its proprietary AJICAP technology, a site-specific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform that enables precise and stable conjugation of payloads to antibodies
This partnership enhances Astellas’ capabilities in developing and manufacturing next-generation ADCs as part of Ajinomoto’s CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) business
The AJICAP technology allows for site-specific and uniform drug attachment, preserving antibody functionality while improving precision and product quality compared to conventional conjugation methods
Through this agreement, Ajinomoto aims to deliver uniform, high-quality ADC development support for Astellas’ candidates while expanding its AminoScience-based biopharmaceutical technology portfolio
The initiative underscores Ajinomoto’s broader commitment to contributing to global health and sustainability by fostering innovation in biotherapeutics and strengthening its presence as a key biologics CDMO player in the ADC development ecosystem