- The investment of close to 300 million euros encompasses a new production facility and a carbon net-zero emissions warehouse
- The announcement was made during the 50th anniversary celebration at the manufacturing plant in Lessines.
- With this significant investment Takeda confirms the importance of Belgium as a long-term strategic production location for the global manufacturing and distribution of plasma-derived therapies.
- Lessines plasma medicines can treat over 300.000 patients with rare and complex chronic diseases life-changing treatments, annually.
On September 13, 2022 Takeda announced the expansion of its biotechnology manufacturing site in Lessines with a new state-of-the-art production facility for the manufacturing of plasma-derived therapies for people with rare and complex chronic diseases. Together with the construction of a net-zero carbon emissions warehouse in Lessines. The investment amounts close to 300 million euros. This is the biggest investment to date for Takeda in Belgium.
Takeda in Lessines: 50 years of plasma-derived therapies production
The announcement of the investment was made during the 50th anniversary celebration at the plant in Lessines. It was attended by Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister in the federal government, Ms. Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon Government, Mr. Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Economic Recovery and Strategic Investments, entrusted with Scientific Policy in the federal government, and H.E. Makita Shimokawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Belgium and to NATO, together with members of the Takeda leadership team.
Plasma-derived therapies are used to treat patients with complex diseases, such as primary or acquired immunodeficiencies, or rare diseases like hereditary angioedema and bleeding disorders. People with these conditions may require lifesaving treatment for acute emergencies, as well as lifelong
substitution therapy. Patients with immunodeficiencies may have recurring infections, such as sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia or potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal infections and may depend on treatment with immunoglobulins, the most widely used plasma therapy. The Lessines plant is specialized in purification and filling of plasma-derived therapies, with packaging capabilities for a variety of plasma treatments.
“Takeda is building on an 80+ year pioneering legacy in producing plasma-derived therapies. The global patient need for these therapies, particularly immunoglobulins (IG), has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and continues to grow. The projects announced today will enable us to potentially help tens of thousands more people who have no - or very few - treatment alternatives. This investment reinforces Takeda’s leadership in plasma and our commitment to patients with life-threatening and life-changing conditions." says Giles Platford, President Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda.
Takeda Lessines: Factory of the Future
The investment is part of Takeda’s global effort to implement the most innovative technologies and most sustainable processes at its manufacturing sites. Dr. Thomas Wozniewski, Global Manufacturing and Supply Officer, explains: “For 50 years, this site has been transforming human plasma into life-saving and life-sustaining medicines. Our Lessines site is an important part of our global manufacturing network. The significant investment in Lessines announced today will strengthen the digitalization of our manufacturing sites where innovation plays a key role in creating a sustainable production environment. The new state-of-the art production facility will have an even higher output capacity and will be even more data and digital driven. Furthermore, we pay additional attention to minimize its environmental footprint at the site: thanks to a high-tech water recycling system we will be able to reduce the freshwater consumption by 90 percent by 2023, and the facility will be 100 percent self-sufficient in electricity.”
Geoffrey Pot, General Manager Operations, Takeda Lessines site and President of Bio.be/essenscia, adds: “This is a joyful day for all employees at Takeda Lessines, as it adds another chapter to the success-story we have been writing for the last 50 years. I would like to thank the entire Lessines team for their dedication and commitment. We have a bold and ambitious plan at Takeda in Lessines. We aim to become a net-zero carbon emissions operation by 2030 and have a clear focus on further digitalization. In addition to the investment in our production capacity, we also invest in the development and training of our employees to keep them abreast of the latest scientific, technical and digital evolutions. To achieve this, we are working closely with the highly qualified Belgian biotech ecosystem of universities, biotech federations and training centers, like Aptaskill, and, as of 2025, the EU Biotech Campus in Gosselies. I am really excited about this announcement today, as it will allow us to serve more patients, in a better way.”
