Eisai announces US$64.5M manufacturing expansion at Hatfield hub with UK Government LSIMF grant support

UK—Japanese drugmaker Eisai is investing £48 million (US$64.5 million) to expand and modernise its manufacturing facility in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with support from the United Kingdom’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF).

The investment comes as the UK government seeks to strengthen the country’s life sciences manufacturing capabilities and attract fresh pharmaceutical investments amid growing competition from other global markets.

While Eisai has not disclosed the exact value of the government grant, the company confirmed that the project has been supported and enabled through funding from the LSIMF.

The Hatfield facility, located north of London, will undergo a phased upgrade that will significantly expand its manufacturing, packaging, and distribution capabilities.

Once completed, the site will be able to handle temperature-controlled injectable and infusion medicines, including Eisai’s Alzheimer’s disease treatment Leqembi (lecanemab).

The project will also introduce new cold-chain and ambient storage facilities, additional packaging buildings, advanced packaging lines and expanded goods handling operations.

According to Eisai, these improvements will allow the company to transition from relying on third-party contractors to a more efficient in-house packaging model within the UK.

Strengthening supply across Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Eisai said the expanded facility will support medicine distribution across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, helping the company build a more resilient and responsive supply network.

“This strategic investment reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening resilient supply capabilities for our innovative medicines and pipeline products, while further deepening our long-standing relationship with the United Kingdom,” said Eisai Chief Executive Officer Haruo Naito.

The LSIMF, launched in 2024, was created to strengthen domestic production of medicines, medical devices, and diagnostics while improving the country’s preparedness for future health emergencies.

The UK government has committed up to £520 million (US$699 million) to the initiative.

Leqembi remains central to Eisai’s growth strategy

The facility expansion closely aligns with Eisai’s plans for Leqembi, one of the company’s most important growth products.

 The medicine received UK approval in 2024 for certain patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the drug has secured regulatory approval, access remains limited because it is not yet routinely funded through the National Health Service (NHS).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently reassessing its earlier decision not to recommend routine NHS coverage.

A committee meeting is scheduled for July 8, with an updated decision expected in August, according to Eisai.

Meanwhile, Eisai and its partner Biogen continue to advance Leqembi globally.

 In May, the companies announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended its review of a once-weekly subcutaneous formulation of Leqembi, known as LEQEMBI IQLIK, with a new decision date set for August 24, 2026.

The companies said regulators requested additional information but had not raised concerns about the treatment’s approvability.

The injectable version is designed to provide patients and healthcare providers with greater flexibility in administering the therapy.

The latest manufacturing investment highlights Eisai’s continued focus on expanding production capacity as demand for Alzheimer’s therapies grows across international markets.