TOKYO, October 20, 2014 - Ajinomoto Genexine Co., Ltd. (Ajinomoto Genexine), a subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.), completed construction of a new plant for cell culture media for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in August 2014 and has begun full-scale operation. An opening ceremony for the new plant will be held today. With the start-up of the new plant, Ajinomoto Genexine is building a global supply structure for the cell culture media market centered on the Asian region, which is showing notable growth. This market is expected to grow to around JPY 200 billion by 2020.

Biopharmaceuticals, which offer new treatment methods for previously intractable diseases, are manufactured by cultivating mammalian cells. The market is rapidly expanding, mainly for therapeutic antibodies such as anticancer agents and rheumatoid arthritis treatments, and is expected to exceed JPY 20 trillion by 2020. The spread of use to emerging countries and the introduction of generic biopharmaceuticals (Biosimilars) in Japan, Europe and elsewhere are leading to further expansion of the biopharmaceutical market. Moreover, with active investment in development of Biosimilars in South Korea, where the new plant is located, a rapid increase in demand for cell culture media used in their manufacture is forecast as the biopharmaceutical market grows.

Ajinomoto Co. is the world’s No.1 supplier of amino acids for pharmaceuticals and foods, and the cell culture media business is a pillar of its amino acid operations. Amino acids are an essential component of cell culture media, and Ajinomoto Genexine uses the advanced amino acid technology of the Ajinomoto Group to manufacture high-quality cell culture media that are optimized to meet customer needs. Cell culture media manufactured by Ajinomoto Genexine are sold globally via other Ajinomoto Group companies, and Ajinomoto Genexine will conduct sales directly within South Korea. With a manufacturing and sales base in the growing Asian market, Ajinomoto Genexine will establish a stable supply structure for cell culture media and strengthen the foundation of the cell culture business with the aim of capturing new global demand.

By promoting specialty business in the field of cutting-edge biopharmaceuticals as a core strategic theme, the Ajinomoto Group will contribute to healthy lifestyles - an issue for human society in the 21st century -through the development of original methods for manufacturing and using high-quality amino acids as a top amino acid manufacturer.

Overview of Ajinomoto Genexine Co., Ltd. and Its New Plant

● Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Process and

Function of Cell Culture Media

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.) is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had consolidated net sales of JPY 991.3 billion (USD 11.0 billion) in fiscal 2013. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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