Fujifilm Biotech opens new $3.2 billion factory in North Carolina

Fujifilm Biotechnologies officially opened a new Holly Springs, North Carolina biomanufacturing factory on Wednesday, September 24. The plant currently employs 680 employees managing eight 20,000 liter mammalian cell culture bioreactors for use in drug manufacturing, and Fujifilm has plans for to double the plant’s capacity in a second phase. Once finished, the plant will cost an estimated $3.2 billion and employ about 1,400 people.

The expansion comes as Fujifilm Biotechnologies expands its contract development business globally. In a statement, Toshihisa Iida, chairman at Fujifilm Biotechnologies, said the company had invested over $8 billion globally on doing so, and characterized the new Holly Springs location — one of the largest cell culture biomanufacturing sites in North America, according to the company — as a “hub” for future growth.

What people are saying

"Fujifilm's total global investment of over $8 billion to expand our contract development and manufacturing organization business underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing life sciences for our partners, people, and patients. Our new commercial-scale manufacturing hub in the U.S. highlights Fujifilm’s dedication to supporting our partners in delivering biologic medicines targeting complex diseases,” said Toshihisa Iida, director, corporate VP, general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, and chairman, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. “Securing strategic manufacturing capacity is crucial to our 'Partners for Life' strategy, to help ensure a stable supply chain for our customers."

“North Carolina is creating the future of biotech and Fujifilm is an industry leader,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “This overall project will create 1,400 new, good-paying jobs in North Carolina by 2031 and will grow our state’s economy by $4.7 billion over the next decade. Fujifilm isn’t just strengthening the workforce of today – it’s investing in the workforce of tomorrow.”

"I am inspired by our team's incredible achievement in delivering this ambitious manufacturing hub in under five years. Leveraging our pioneering kojoX modular facility design approach, our teams and partners are able to accelerate build times, which will help get medicines to patients faster,” said Lars Petersen, CEO of Fujifilm Biotechnologies. “This site bridges a critical gap in supply; with the world’s aging population driving a surge in chronic diseases, it's vital to keep pace with the demand for life-changing medicines."

Manufacturers investing in North Carolina

Eco King Solutions invests $80.5M to open biodegradable tableware manufacturing facility in North Carolina
The new production facility will be the company’s first in North America and will create more than 500 jobs in Graham County.

Biogen invests $2 billion to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in North Carolina
The expansion will support Biogen’s late-stage clinical pipeline and enhance supply resilience for future treatments.

Sanner opens medical and pharmaceutical packaging manufacturing facility in North Carolina
The Greensboro facility features cleanroom space, automated production lines, and full laboratory capabilities for testing and metrology.