Fujifilm Biotechnologies Unveils $3.2B Antibody Facility in North Carolina, Ushering in New Era of Biomanufacturing

Fujifilm Biotechnologies has officially opened its highly anticipated $3.2 billion cell culture facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion and the broader landscape of U.S. biomanufacturing. The state-of-the-art plant, which focuses on antibody-based drugs, is poised to become one of the largest cell culture biomanufacturing sites in the United States.

Facility Specifications and Expansion Plans

The new commercial plant boasts an impressive initial capacity of eight 20,000-liter bioreactors, capable of handling both drug substance and drug product production. Fujifilm Biotechnologies has ambitious plans for the facility, including the addition of finished goods capabilities by 2026 and a doubling of capacity to 16 bioreactors by 2028.

Lars Petersen, CEO of Fujifilm Biotechnologies, highlighted the strategic importance of the U.S. market in driving the decision to establish the facility. "We need to have a facility there," Petersen explained, referring to the company's leadership's view of the U.S. as a crucial market.

The Holly Springs site is not just a standalone project but part of Fujifilm Biotechnologies' broader "KojoX" design philosophy. This approach aims to establish "harmonized design" across the company's production network, with the North Carolina facility being a near-replica of its commercial-scale site in Hillerød, Denmark.

Economic Impact and Employment Opportunities

The opening of the Holly Springs facility brings significant economic benefits to the region. Currently employing over 680 workers, Fujifilm Biotechnologies plans to increase its workforce to 750 by the end of the year. The company's long-term goal is to employ 1,400 workers at the site by 2031, contributing substantially to the local job market.

High-Profile Manufacturing Contracts

Fujifilm Biotechnologies has already secured several major contracts for the new facility, demonstrating industry confidence in its capabilities:

1. Regeneron: A 10-year, $3 billion agreement for the manufacture of bulk drug product for commercial medicines.
2. Johnson & Johnson: A $2 billion, decade-long manufacturing deal.
3. argenx: A contract to produce the autoimmune blockbuster Vyvgart, set to commence when the phase 2 plant expansion is completed in 2028.

These deals not only validate the facility's potential but also position Fujifilm Biotechnologies as a major player in the biomanufacturing sector. "Clearly, the J&J and the Regeneron deal have put us on the map, so everybody knows who we are," Petersen noted.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Fujifilm Biotechnologies' Holly Springs facility represents a significant step forward in enhancing U.S. biomanufacturing capabilities and meeting the growing demand for advanced production of antibody-based therapeutics.