North Carolina Construction News staff writer
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is investing $1.2 billion to expand its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, making the site one of the largest end-to-end cell culture facilities in the world.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced the expansion, stating it showcases the strong economic relationship between North Carolina and Japan. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is part of the Tokyo-based FUJIFILM group. The company has been developing life-saving products like vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for more than 30 years.
“North Carolina, in particular Holly Springs, is the ideal location for the $1.2 billion expansion of our large-scale cell culture biomanufacturing site, because of its sustainable energy resources, infrastructure, and strong pool of diverse and highly-skilled talent,” said Lars Petersen, president and chief executive officer.
As part of the upgrade, Fujifilm Diosynth’s large-scale cell culture facility will increase its footprint by 425,500 square feet and add a total of eight new 20,000-liter mammalian cell culture bioreactors for bulk drug substance, according to a company fact sheet.
“The new jobs created by the expansion in Wake County is yet another example of the thriving economic relationship between North Carolina and Japan, and we are grateful for their continuing investments in our state,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Japanese companies continue to provide good-paying jobs and economic opportunity for people across North Carolina.”
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ JDIG agreement could also put as much as $4,996,500 into a fund that helps rural communities across the state attract business in the future. When companies select a site located in a Tier 3 county such as Wake, their JDIG agreements move some of the new tax revenue into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account.
Local communities in more economically challenged areas of the state use grants from the Utility Account to build public infrastructure projects, which can improve a community’s ability to attract companies to their regions.
“This is incredible news for the Town of Holly Springs, Wake County and the entire state of North Carolina,” said N.C. Representative Julie von Haefen. “We are pleased to see that our reputation for such immense research and manufacturing talent continues to attract biopharmaceutical companies from across the world.”