Kyowa Kirin to Build New Biologics Manufacturing Facility in North Carolina

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. announced that its board of directors has approved plans to invest up to $530 million to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina. The 171,700 square foot, dual reactor facility will accelerate the company's development and production of biologic therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases.

A key driver for the new production facility is the growing global demand for treatments for rare diseases, which together affect approximately 263 million to 446 million people worldwide. The new facility will produce innovative biologic therapies, including next-generation antibodies, for the company's planned clinical trials and future commercial use, while creating a more resilient and efficient supply line that can more easily withstand changing global forces.

Construction of the facility is expected to begin in the second half of 2024 and be fully operational in 2027. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Kyowa Kirin's investment of up to $530 million will be supported by performance-based state and local incentives, providing Kyowa Kirin with $10 million over 12 years, and is expected to boost the state's economy by $1.05 billion over the course of the grant. The facility will create more than 100 new jobs locally.

The new facility will complement and strengthen Kyowa Kirin's global manufacturing network, which includes facilities in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture,  and Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. By establishing the new facility in North Carolina's strong life sciences hub, Kyowa Kirin will benefit from a thriving network of biomanufacturing resources and a rich talent pool in the Greater Triangle Research Park region, which is home to renowned universities and community colleges that offer specialized courses and training. The new facility will leverage the expertise of these institutions and build on the recent addition of manufacturing methods and technologies in Takasaki, further improving manufacturing productivity and efficiency.