Fermentation Alliance Aims to Steady a Strained Supply Chain

Ajinomoto Bio Pharma and Olon boost global fermentation capacity and underscore the need for early strategic partnerships

2 Dec 2025

Ajinomoto Bio Pharma Services and Italy-based Olon have agreed a partnership aimed at easing capacity constraints in fermentation, a growing bottleneck for developers of peptide and protein drugs. The move comes as demand for biologics expands and manufacturers face longer lead times in shifting medicines from early research to commercial scale.

Ajinomoto brings long-standing technical expertise in microbial fermentation, while Olon adds a network of large production sites in Europe and beyond. Executives from both companies said the aim is to offer developers more predictable access to facilities as pressure on existing plants has increased with the rise of high-volume therapies.

Industry analysts said the alliance highlights a broader need for scale, specialist skills and sustained investment in fermentation, which underpins an increasing share of advanced medicines. They noted that the spread of blockbuster treatments in recent years has pushed infrastructure close to capacity, creating delays across supply chains.

Both companies said the partnership is intended to give therapy developers firmer project timelines at a moment when uncertainty can slow clinical progress. They added that improved visibility on manufacturing slots could help programmes reach patients with fewer disruptions.

The plan faces operational challenges. Aligning technology, quality systems and production practices across multiple sites will require close coordination, analysts said. They added that consistent output remains the critical factor for any distributed manufacturing model.

Even so, observers described the agreement as a sign of how the sector may expand while improving resilience in its production base. For companies advancing new biologics, the arrangement underscores the growing importance of strategic partnerships to secure capacity, manage costs and maintain momentum from concept to clinic.