Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 26, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, celebrated the grand opening of its advanced manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, on September 25, 2025. This facility, one of the largest commercial-scale cell culture biomanufacturing sites in North America, represents a $3.2 billion investment. The first phase includes eight 20,000-liter mammalian cell culture bioreactors for drug substance and product manufacturing, with finished goods capabilities planned for 2026. A second phase, announced in 2024, will add another eight bioreactors, doubling capacity to 16.

From left to right: Jordan Ulrich, Laurie Braxton, Lars Petersen, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Toshihisa Iida, State Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley, Austin Rogers

“Fujifilm’s total global investment of over $8 billion to expand our contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing life sciences for our partners, people, and patients,” said Toshihisa Iida, director, corporate vice president, general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, and chairman, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. “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.”

The opening event was attended by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, State Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley, Wake County Commission Chair Susan Evans, Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayefskie, and representatives from local universities and workforce training centers. “North Carolina is creating the future of biotech and Fujifilm is an industry leader,” said 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.”

“Wake County attracts cutting-edge life sciences companies like FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, because we offer a skilled workforce, a supportive business ecosystem, and a quality of life that is second to none,” said Susan Evans. Mayor Sean Mayefskie added, “This celebration marks a meaningful milestone in the history of Holly Springs because at full buildout we anticipate that FUJIFILM Biotechnologies will become our largest employer.”

The facility employs over 680 workers, with plans to reach 750 by year-end and 1,400 by 2031. Using FUJIFILM’s kojoXTM modular design, construction time was reduced by 70%, replicating a similar site in Denmark. “I am inspired by our team’s incredible achievement in delivering this ambitious manufacturing hub in under five years,” said Lars Petersen, president and 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.”

The facility supports sustainability goals, offsetting 100% of carbon emissions from electricity through renewable energy certificates, aligning with Fujifilm’s target of carbon neutrality by 2040. Partners like Johnson & Johnson and Regeneron praised the site’s role in expanding U.S. biomanufacturing capacity.