Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB), a biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with experience focused on the development and manufacture of recombinant biopharmaceuticals including proteins, advanced therapies, and monoclonal antibodies, held a ground-breaking ceremony on February 25, 2020 to signal the start of its North Carolina facility expansion project.
 
The 31,778 square foot addition includes the expansion of its cell culture and microbial manufacturing trains through the addition of new recover and purification suites. The North Carolina site will increase its cell culture manufacturing capacity by approximately 25% and microbial capacity by approximately 50%. A new receiving warehouse is also included in the project. 
 
"This expansion is a reflection of Fujifilm's continued commitment to grow its bio-CDMO business and FDB, to provide our clients with not only the skills, but also the infrastructure that will nimbly deliver their products to the clinic and beyond," said Martin Meeson, president and chief operating officer, FDB USA.
 
Stephenie Robertson, senior director of operations, FDB USA, said, "This project will enable us to further increase our capacity to efficiently meet current and future customer demands in a modern facility.”
 
The event was attended by representatives from local organizations including Economic Development of North Carolina, The RTP Foundation, North Carolina Biosciences Organization, North Carolina Biotechnology Center and the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce among others.
 
FDB expects that the increased production capacity will be ready for cGMP manufacture by mid-2021.