Fujifilm to Boost North Carolina Economy with New Biopharmaceutical Jobs

Hours before the anticipated arrival of the Japanese Prime Minister in North Carolina, Fujifilm Corp.'s subsidiary announced a significant expansion of its biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the state. This announcement comes even before the completion of the plant's initial phase, promising to create an additional 680 jobs. Gov. Roy Cooper, alongside a company executive and local government leaders, revealed plans for an extra USD 1.2 billion investment in Holly Springs. This is where Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies is constructing what is considered one of the largest cell culture facilities globally.

The new job opportunities are in addition to the 725 positions previously announced by the subsidiary in March 2021, following an initial USD 2 billion investment. The first phase of the plant is slated to open next year, with the expansion expected to be operational by early 2028, according to Lars Petersen, president and CEO of the subsidiary. The newly announced jobs, starting in 2027, will offer an average minimum wage of nearly USD 110,000, state officials noted.

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies specializes in manufacturing drugs and vaccines for other pharmaceutical companies and already operates a campus in nearby Research Triangle Park, employing several hundred individuals. Gov. Cooper highlighted the expansion as evidence of North Carolina's dedication to becoming a national leader in life sciences, a sector that includes over 800 companies and employs more than 75,000 skilled workers across the state.

"North Carolina has become an advanced manufacturing powerhouse," Cooper stated during the announcement in downtown Raleigh, located less than 20 miles northeast of Holly Springs. The event also celebrated further investment by Japanese corporations into North Carolina as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was set to arrive in the state.

Kishida's itinerary includes visits to Honda Aircraft Corp.'s Greensboro headquarters and Toyota Motor Corp.'s upcoming electric and hybrid battery plant in Randolph County. His visit to the U.S. also featured an address to a joint session of Congress and attendance at a White House state dinner.

Cooper expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties with Japan, emphasizing the economic, academic, and cultural connections between North Carolina and Japan. He also mentioned that Fujifilm considered other locations for its investment, including Singapore, Denmark near its existing facilities, and Ventura County, California.

The state has offered Fujifilm potentially more than USD 72 million in incentives to secure this investment. A state committee approved nearly USD 15 million of these incentives through cash payments over 12 years, contingent on the company meeting specific job retention and investment criteria. This follows an incentive package awarded to the company in 2021.

The additional investment will enhance the facility's capabilities with more bioreactors to meet the increasing demand for biological medicines. This expansion is set to benefit various fields including oncology, immunology, and pandemic preparedness. Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies has also collaborated with Novavax in producing a COVID-19 vaccine, showcasing its pivotal role in addressing global health challenges.