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 efforts and solidifying its position as a major player in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing landscape.

Massive Facility Boosts U.S. Biomanufacturing Capacity

The new Holly Springs site, which focuses on antibody-based drugs, is now one of the largest cell culture biomanufacturing facilities in the United States. The commercial plant features eight 20,000-liter bioreactors capable of handling both drug substance and drug product production. Fujifilm Biotechnologies plans to bring finished goods capabilities online in 2026 and aims to double the plant's capacity by adding another eight bioreactors by 2028.

Lars Petersen, CEO of Fujifilm Biotechnologies, emphasized the strategic importance of the U.S. market, stating, "We need to have a facility there." The company's leadership in Japan has long recognized the significance of establishing a strong presence in the United States.

Innovative "KojoX" Design Philosophy Drives Efficiency

The Holly Springs facility is a near-replica of Fujifilm Biotechnologies' commercial-scale site in Hillerød, Denmark, showcasing the company's "KojoX" design philosophy. This approach aims to establish "harmonized design" across its production network, offering flexibility and consistency for drugmakers operating globally.

Petersen explained that the plant-cloning strategy was particularly suitable for the North Carolina facility, which has been designed as a "pure antibody site." The maturity of antibody manufacturing processes and their ease of industrialization made this approach ideal for the new plant.

High-Profile Contracts and Workforce Expansion

Fujifilm Biotechnologies has already secured several significant contracts for the Holly Springs site:

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

The facility has opened with a workforce of over 680 employees, with plans to increase this number to 750 by the end of the year. Fujifilm Biotechnologies aims to employ a total of 1,400 workers at the site by 2031, contributing significantly to the local economy and life sciences sector in North Carolina.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Fujifilm Biotechnologies' massive investment in Holly Springs represents a major step forward in enhancing U.S. biomanufacturing capabilities and meeting the growing demand for advanced antibody-based therapies.