Fujifilm Biotechnologies has officially opened its new $3.2 billion manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, establishing one of the largest commercial-scale cell culture biomanufacturing sites in North America. The first phase of the factory includes eight 20,000-liter mammalian cell culture bioreactors, with plans to double capacity in a second phase through the addition of eight more bioreactors. By 2031, total employment at the site is projected to reach 1,400, making it a central driver of economic and workforce development in the region.
The plant focuses on large-scale manufacturing of biologic drug substances, including antibodies and vaccines, as well as drug product manufacturing and future packaging capabilities. The investment is part of Fujifilm’s broader global strategy to expand its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business. As of the facility's opening, 680 employees are on staff, with hiring expected to reach 750 by the end of 2025 and to double by the start of the next decade. Roughly 80 percent of the workforce has been hired locally, reinforcing partnerships with universities, local colleges, and workforce training centers.
North Carolina state and local officials attended the grand opening, including Governor Josh Stein, and highlighted the facility’s anticipated $10 billion impact on the state’s economy over the next decade. The site is seen as an anchor for the region’s growing status as a leading U.S. hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing.
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