North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Kyowa Kirin, Inc., a subsidiary of Japan’s Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. has announced a major investment to build a new, advanced manufacturing facility in Sanford. This $530 million project will create a 171,700-sq. ftt. structure with two reactors dedicated to the development and production of biologic therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases.
“The complexity of our medicines requires specialized skills and resources, which are abundant in Sanford and its surrounding areas. We’re eager to partner with local colleges, universities, businesses, and civic leaders to align our plans with Sanford’s vision for a revitalized manufacturing economy,” said Paul Testa, executive vice president of Kyowa Kirin North America. “This collaboration will not only provide diverse job opportunities but also benefit the community.”
The new facility will address the global need for treatments for rare diseases, which collectively impact between 263 and 446 million people worldwide.
It will be built on a 75-acre site at Helix Innovation Park at The Brickyard, and is designed with future expansion in mind, accommodating the growth of Kyowa Kirin’s portfolio as needed.
Construction is expected to start later this year with the facility and be completed by 2027.
“Our strategic investments are expanding our capabilities, therapeutic expertise, and talent pool to better meet patients’ needs,” said Steve Schaefer, president of Kyowa Kirin North America. “North Carolina’s shared values, such as harmony and teamwork—principles central to our culture—played a key role in our decision to build here.”
The company’s global manufacturing network includes facilities in Takasaki City and Ube City in Japan.
