Asahi Kaisei Adr Stock Price, News & Analysis

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America (AKBA) and PeptiSystems have formed an exclusive global partnership to streamline peptide manufacturing processes. Under this agreement, AKBA will become the exclusive OEM for peptide synthesis columns to PeptiSystems, which specializes in R&D, manufacturing, and supply of peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutic synthesis instruments.

The collaboration integrates AKBA's THESYS® ACS Ergo design columns, launched in 2024, with PeptiSystems' next-generation synthesizers. The THESYS® ACS Ergo design offers reduced batch changeover time while maintaining safety and quality standards. This partnership is part of AKBA's expansion strategy in the TIDES market and follows the recent operational launch of Asahi Kasei Life Sciences division.

Asahi Kasei (AHKSY) has been awarded the prestigious Okochi Memorial Prize for its innovative Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Ceolus™ UF grade excipient used in pharmaceutical tablets. The product solves critical formulation challenges by providing both high compactibility and flowability, which has been a long-standing industry challenge. Made from natural pulp, Ceolus™ features a unique porous particle shape that enhances tablet productivity and API uniformity, particularly beneficial for low-dose API tablets and small-format tablets. Additionally, Asahi Kasei has addressed nitrosamine concerns by ensuring their MCC Ceolus™ products maintain nitrite levels of 0.1 ppm or less, responding to FDA and EMA guidance on reducing potential carcinogenic impurities in pharmaceuticals.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AHKSY) has launched the AP4413, a new series of ultra-low current power management ICs (PMICs) designed for energy harvesting applications. The PMICs feature an extremely low current consumption of 52 nA and come in four variants to match different rechargeable battery types. Mass production began in February 2025.

The AP4413 series, housed in a 3.0 × 3.0 × 0.37 mm HXQFN package, enables autonomous charging of small rechargeable batteries through energy harvesting for applications like remote controls, Bluetooth® trackers, and IoT sensors. The technology is particularly relevant in Europe, where Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 promotes the transition from disposable to rechargeable batteries.

The PMICs feature AKM's proprietary ultra-low current voltage monitoring system and can support system operation with an inline capacitor even when the battery is completely discharged.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) have successfully demonstrated a proof of concept for integrating current sensors into power modules for electric vehicle applications. The innovation focuses on the development of EZ232L, a linear Hall IC for coreless current sensors, designed to enhance traction inverter efficiency in electric vehicles.

The technology addresses the growing market demand for compact, lightweight solutions with high-resolution current sensing in electric vehicle inverter systems. Traction inverters, which convert DC power from batteries to AC power for electric motors, require precise current sensing across various driving conditions.

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced energy efficiency
• Compact and lightweight design
• High-resolution current sensing
• Cost advantages for small-to-medium production

The companies will present their research findings at PCIM Europe 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, starting May 6. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in power module technology for electric vehicle applications.

Asahi Kasei has appointed Ken Shinomiya as the new Leader of its Healthcare Sector, succeeding Richard Packer. Shinomiya, who currently serves as President of Asahi Kasei Life Science, brings significant experience including previous roles as Vice President of Strategy at ZOLL Medical and President of Asahi Kasei Medical.

Under Shinomiya's leadership, the life science business has expanded beyond Planova™ virus removal filters to include CRO testing services and the acquisition of Bionova Scientific's biologics CDMO business. The Healthcare Sector has seen substantial globalization since acquiring ZOLL Medical in 2012, with its headquarters moving to the U.S. in 2023.

The sector aims to grow its pharmaceutical, life science, and critical care businesses, targeting an operating income of ¥150 billion by 2030. The company's mission focuses on improving patient outcomes through innovative therapeutics and medical devices.

Asahi Kasei has initiated a joint demonstration project with Nobian, Furuya Metal, and Mastermelt to recycle metals from electrolyzer components used in caustic soda production. The project, launched in February 2025, aims to establish a recycling ecosystem for valuable metals in the chlor-alkali industry.

The collaboration focuses on recycling precious metals like iridium and ruthenium from end-of-life electrodes and cells. The process involves Asahi Kasei collecting used electrodes from Nobian, which are then processed by Mastermelt and Furuya Metal for catalyst removal and metal extraction. The recycled metals will be used to create new catalysts for electrode coating, enabling resource recycling in caustic soda and chlorine production.

This initiative builds upon Asahi Kasei's existing electrolysis cell rental service demonstration project with Nobian in Europe, running since 2023. The technology may also be applied to components in Asahi Kasei's green hydrogen production systems.

Asahi Kasei has established Asahi Kasei Life Science to consolidate and enhance its bioprocess businesses, effective April 1st. The new organization encompasses several key units including Planova™ virus removal filters, BioOptimal™ Microfilters, and testing services through ViruSure and Bionique Testing Laboratories, along with Bionova Scientific CDMO operations.

The company has recently expanded its capabilities with a scaled facility in Glenview, Illinois (2023), a new Planova™ assembly plant in Nobeoka, Japan (2024), and plans for a new plasmid DNA facility in Texas. These expansions aim to meet growing market demands and support innovation in bioprocess solutions, particularly for new modalities such as cell and gene therapy.

Bionova Scientific, an Asahi Kasei company (AHKSY), has opened a new 55,000 sq. ft. process development and pilot plant in Fremont, California. The facility aims to enhance the company's capabilities in advancing early-stage biologics to first-in-human trials and expand manufacturing capacity.

The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 150 industry and community leaders, including Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan and representatives from various government offices. Located in the Biotech Bay region, which generates over $142 billion in economic activity and 328,000 jobs, the facility strategically positions Bionova to serve local biotech innovators.

The new facility consolidates all pre-GMP activities under one roof, enabling seamless technology transfer and improved efficiency in process development. This expansion strengthens Bionova's role as a CDMO partner for both early-stage biopharmaceutical innovators and larger biopharma customers.

Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City celebrated the grand opening of a biogas purification system at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant in Okayama Prefecture, Japan on February 4, 2025. The system leverages Asahi Kasei's CO2 separation/recovery technology using zeolites - crystalline aluminosilicates with specialized pores that selectively adsorb CO2.

The technology employs a pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) process to separate CO2 from biogas, producing high-purity methane (biomethane) at high recovery rates. This demonstration trial, which began in February 2025, stems from a comprehensive partnership agreement signed in September 2022 between the parties to advance decarbonization efforts.

Biogas from sewage sludge typically contains 60% methane and 40% CO2. The separated methane will be returned as fuel for electricity generation. If the separated CO2 is utilized or stored, the process would achieve carbon negative status through carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Commercialization of the system is expected around 2027 following additional trials globally.