Turner & Townsend and Hitachi Plant Services Win Major Project for Cellares’ first Asian cell therapy facility
Turner & Townsend and Hitachi Plant Services Co., Ltd. have been awarded the construction project for Cellares Japan’s new cell therapy manufacturing facility, its first in Asia. The facility, named Cellares Smart Factory – Asia, will be located within Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha 2 and is scheduled to break ground in November 2025, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
Turner & Townsend will bring its expertise in construction and project management, while Hitachi Plant Services will contribute its advanced facility engineering and extensive experience. Together, they will build the infrastructure to support the operation of Cellares’ proprietary automated systems, Cell Shuttle and Cell Q, which streamline both the manufacturing and quality control of cell therapy products.
The facility will serve as a hub for developing and producing CAR-T cell therapies, a cutting-edge cancer treatment.
Cellares is a biotech company specializing in the commercial-scale production of next-generation cancer therapies, including CAR-T treatments, often referred to as “living drugs” of the 21st century.
The Cellares Smart Factory, Asia will leverage automation to increase the number of personalized doses produced for patients by tenfold, while cutting operational costs and cleanroom space requirements in half.
More than 30 Cell Shuttle units will be installed, enabling the facility to provide life-saving treatments to up to 75,000 patients annually.
Project Overview
- Project Name: Cellares Smart Factory – Asia
- Location: 6-6-1 and surrounding lots, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
- Facility Size: Approx. 16,000 square meters of total floor space; 4 stories above ground
- Timeline: Construction begins November 2025, with operations scheduled to start in 2027
Key Facility Features:
- Cell therapy manufacturing area
- Quality control area
- Supply management area
- Administrative area
- Mechanical systems area
Kajiura Hisanao, Managing Director, Japan at Turner & Townsend, said:
"As the first facility of its kind in Asia, the Cellares Smart Factory will enable life-saving treatments and we’re proud to play a role in making that difference."
Our experience of working across major life sciences projects and programmes equips us with an in-depth understanding of this fast-paced sector’s unique requirements.
“We’re excited to collaborate closely with Cellares and Hitachi Plant Services, contributing our technology, expertise and data to support the successful delivery of this transformative project.”
