FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced today that it plans to build in Holly Springs the largest end-to-end cell culture CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in North America.
The $2 billion project is historic, because it will be the largest life sciences investment announcement ever in the state of North Carolina, putting Holly Springs and Wake County on the map as a leading site for life sciences growth in the country.
“We’re excited for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to grow its worldwide presence in our community,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria. “The company’s decision to expand here proves that, despite the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic, Wake County’s talent pool, infrastructure, and high quality of life continue to attract new businesses that offer good jobs for our residents.”
The large-scale manufacturing facility will bring 725 high-quality jobs for scientists, quality control workers and supply chain experts. Construction of the new manufacturing facility, which will be located at Oakview Innovation Business Campus, is scheduled to begin immediately. When it opens in 2025, the facility will develop, produce, package and ship medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies across the country and around the world.
“We are delighted to be a part of the Holly Springs community, as we partner together to bring life-impacting therapies to patients. The commitment of the town to support business growth while embedding environmental sustainability are aligned with our long term goals. We are looking forward to growing together for many years to come,” said Martin Meeson, Chief Executive Officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.
Why Holly Springs?
It’s no surprise FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies selected Holly Springs as the home for this new facility. The town has worked diligently to position itself as the premiere location for life sciences companies in the United States.
Holly Springs researched the needs of life science companies and used that knowledge to create the highest ranked industrial site in Wake County through strategic investments in water, sewer and road infrastructure. Also, Holly Springs developed one of the most robust reclaimed water systems in the state, which not only saves businesses money, but also enables them to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into daily operations.
“This partnership with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies reflects the town of Holly Springs’ intentional long-term commitment to bring high quality jobs to our community while growing our local economy,” said Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears. “This landmark economic development announcement solidifies Holly Springs as an international destination for life sciences manufacturing. We are thrilled to welcome a global leader like FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to our community!”
The total economic impact of bringing this facility to Wake County is impressive. The project is expected to infuse $2.6 billion into the Wake County economy with $1.6 billion of that going directly into the Holly Springs economy by the end of 2025, according to an economic impact report commissioned by both the Town of Holly Springs and Wake County.
After the facility opens, the Town is expected to benefit from an additional $422 million economic impact annually. This will significantly enhance the diversification of the Holly Springs tax base, aligning with the strategic goals of the Mayor and Town Council.
True Partnership Makes History
Numerous partners collaborated to make this project a reality, including:
- Town of Holly Springs
- Wake County
- Wake County Economic Development, Raleigh Chamber
- NC Dept. of Commerce
- NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
- Economic Development Partnership of NC
- NC Dept. of Transportation
- Golden LEAF Foundation *pending
- North Carolina Community College System
- Wake Tech
- NC State University
- North Carolina Biotechnology Center
- Capital Area Workforce Development
- Duke Energy
- UNC System Office
- UNC Chapel Hill
- Duke University
- North Carolina Central University
- North Carolina Japan Center
- U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
“This announcement represents true collaboration and partnership at the local and state level to ensure the expansion of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies in Wake County,” said Michael Haley, Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and Senior Vice President of the Raleigh Chamber. “FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is one of the most innovative companies in the world, and we are pleased to help the company expand on the groundbreaking and lifesaving work they are doing. The company is a true model of what success can look like in the region. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ commitment to our economy, dedication to workforce development and sustainability goals represent a new day in economic development in Wake County."
The incentives package also includes a business investment grant from Wake County, as well as an upward mobility bonus for meeting conditions such as providing a living wage – at minimum – to its employees, offering health insurance to all staff and giving workers paid parental leave. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is the first company to receive this new bonus incentive from the county.
In addition, Wake Technical Community College will take the lead on training new employees at the Holly Springs facility. Wake Tech also offered the company temporary space at its Morrisville Campus where it can conduct hiring and training. NC State will provide customized workforce training at its Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, in addition to other workforce development partnerships.
“NC State is proud to partner with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a model company in life science and biomanufacturing, to identify solutions to global challenges,” said NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson. “We’re excited about the company’s continued growth in North Carolina, and look forward to building this important partnership between FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and our world-class students, faculty and researchers.”
About Life Sciences in Wake County
Growth in this industry continues to outpace nearly every other sector of our economy. This boom is credited largely to the region’s unbeatable access to converging technologies, support from multiple tier-1 research universities and Wake Technical Community College, and resources like the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and NC State’s one-of-a-kind Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center.
