Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Japan-based FUJIFILM Establishes Holly Springs, North Carolina, Production Hub

03/19/2021
Japan-based FUJIFILM Corporation will locate a new large-scale cell culture production in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The more than $2 billion project is expected to create 725 highly-skilled jobs in the area by the end of 2028.

The new facility, which will be located at Oakview Innovation Business Campus, will offer large-scale cell culture manufacturing of bulk drug substance production with 8 x 20,000L bioreactors with the potential to expand and add a further 24 x 20,000L bioreactors based on market demand. In addition, the facility will also provide commercial scale, automated fill-finish and assembly, packaging, and labelling services. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately.

“Holly Springs, North Carolina is a suitable location for us, as it is one of the most active communities in the US in addressing environmental and social issues,” said Kenji Sukeno, president of FUJIFILM Corporation. “Fujifilm will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by collaborating with the Holly Springs community and stimulating the local economy, and further, by accelerating “resolving social issues through business activities” in alignment with our Sustainable Value Plan 2030. And, the new site is strategically important to accelerate the growth of our Bio CDMO business.”

The facility will reportedly be designed and built with sustainability as its core while targeting 100% clean energy utilization, implementation of cutting edge waste disposal and recycling, among other sustainability goals. When operational in 2025, the facility will develop, produce, package and ship medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies across the country and around the world.

“A rigorous data-driven evaluation process was followed to make the selection of Holly Springs, North Carolina as the home for the new facility,” according to company officials. “Holly Springs, North Carolina was selected for its strong pool of technical talent, local resources and partners with the right competencies, clean energy resources, and sustainability for future growth. With an existing facility in Morrisville, North Carolina, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is committed to continue its strong collaboration with state and local officials, which has been built over the years.”

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, with development and manufacturing facilities across the United States, United Kingdom, and Denmark, will operate the new facility.

“We are passionate about the tremendous value that this new facility will bring to our partners in producing life-impacting therapies," said Martin Meeson, chief CEO, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. "To build what will be the largest end-to-end cell culture CDMO facility in North America requires commitment and partnership. We are delighted to have received the strong support from the town of Holly Springs and the state of North Carolina. This is building for the future, both in infrastructure and in talent, as part of the vibrant North Carolina biotech hub.” he added.

The FUJIFILM project will be the largest life sciences investment announcement ever in the state of North Carolina.

Exclusive Research