Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced the decision to construct a new manufacturing building for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of small and mid-size molecule drugs in the Fujieda Plant (Fujieda-shi, Shizuoka) of Chugai Pharma Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, President: Shinya Takuma), a manufacturing subsidiary of Chugai. The new manufacturing building for APIs (FJ3) aims to address the manufacturing functions of small and mid-size molecule drugs with high potency, covering APIs for late-stage clinical trials and early production after launch. By adding FJ3 to the existing manufacturing building for APIs (FJ1) and FJ2 which is under construction in the Fujieda Plant, Chugai will gain the capability to consistently supply APIs throughout early clinical development to early commercial production, which will greatly strengthen the foundation that supports the rapid development and launch of innovative new drug candidates. FJ3 will respond to the simultaneous development of drug candidates by installing multiple API production lines using advanced containment technologies. In addition, the building will be designed to realize chlorofluorocarbons-free operation, and used solvents will be recycled to make the facility environmentally friendly. At the same time, Chugai will thoroughly respond to safety issues, including earthquake countermeasures, by adopting seismic isolation structure and designing the facility to prepare for fires and other incidents. Chugai aims to address unmet medical needs which cannot be solved by existing modalities, through advanced production technologies that support turning drug discovery ideas into drugs.