Fujifilm has selected Holly Springs of North Carolina as the location for its new $2 billion cell culture manufacturing facility in the US.

In January 2021, the Japanese conglomerate announced setting up such a facility with an aim to fast-track the growth of its biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing business (CDMO).

The end-to-end cell culture biopharmaceutical CDMO facility in Holly Springs will recruit 725 jobs by the end of 2028. It will be operated by the company’s subsidiary Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, which has development and manufacturing plants in the US, UK, and Denmark.

Martin Meeson – CEO of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies said: “We are passionate about the tremendous value that this new facility will bring to our partners in producing life-impacting therapies. 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”.

The Holly Springs facility will provide large-scale cell culture manufacturing of bulk drug substance production. It will have 20,000L bioreactors with the capability to expand and add a further 24 20,000L bioreactors depending on market demand.

The Fujifilm cell culture manufacturing facility, which is expected to begin operations by spring 2025, will also offer commercial scale, automated fill-finish and assembly, packaging, and labeling services.

Kenji Sukeno – president of Fujifilm said: “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.

“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.”

  CDMO, fujifilm, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Holly Springs, Kenji Sukeno, Martin Meeson, North Carolina, USA