FUJIFILM Biotechnologies expanded manufacturing and process development presence in the North East of England to support vital biomanufacturing innovative medicines and vaccines in the  United Kingdom. 

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, a world leading  contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for biologics, vaccines, and  advanced therapies, celebrated the grand opening of its expanded site in Teesside, UK, today. The significantly expanded presence, funded through a total investment of approximately £400m from FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, includes the opening of the largest single-use1 biopharmaceutical CDMO facility in the UK2, located at the existing FUJIFILM Biotechnologies site. 

The UK expansion represents the newest addition to FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ global  manufacturing network and introduces 2,000 L and 5,000 L single-use bioreactors with a total  capacity up to 19,000 L to provide small- and mid-scale antibody manufacturing, with the  flexibility to expand to support customer programmes as needed. The 110,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility will be operational in the first half of 2026. 

In parallel, the opening of the Bioprocess Innovation Centre UK (BIC UK), delivers a state-of-the art laboratory for both high-throughput, and continuous process development capabilities, and will  operate as a global centre of excellence for biomanufacturing innovation and process  development. The over 102,200 sq. ft. facility doubles the campus’ existing lab footprint and complements the sites’ expanded Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing capabilities. 

Together, these investments enhance the supply chain agility of FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’  global manufacturing network and expand its capacity to develop and produce complex  medicines for conditions including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare disorders for  world-leading biopharmaceutical companies. Through the Company’s pioneering kojoXTM modular  approach to biomanufacturing, a strategic global initiative to harmonise technology, equipment,

1 Single-use technology in manufacturing which uses disposable, pre-sterilized polymer-based equipment 2 Based on BDO bioTRAK(R) database as of Oct. 2024 which includes current and planned capacity  expansions through 2027. systems and processes, the expanded UK operations will closely align with Fujifilm's biomanufacturing facility in Toyama, Japan, enabling rapid and seamless technology transfer capabilities. 

"Over the past decade, Fujifilm has invested more than £5 billion globally to grow our CDMO  business – demonstrating our steadfast commitment to increasing our production capacity and  capabilities to meet the growing demand for innovative medicines and vaccines for patients  around the globe,” said Toshihisa Iida, director, corporate vice president, general manager of Life  Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, and chairman,  FUJIFILM Biotechnologies.

“The opening of our UK expansion, will enable us to support our  partners’ products from the process development stage to early clinical manufacturing – ranging  from low-volume therapies for ultra-rare diseases to commercial biologics all from one site." 

The celebration was attended by Fujifilm’s global leadership and national and local public  officials, including: His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Health Innovation  Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, and Tees Valley Mayor  Ben Houchen. Attendees also included representatives from the Embassy of Japan,  Confederation of British Industry, the BioIndustry Association, and the Japanese Chamber of  Commerce and Industry in the UK. 

"This site provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with enhanced scalability, speed  to market, and cross-site technology transfer, helping to ensure reliable medicine supply for  patients in the UK and globally,” said Lars Petersen, president and chief executive  officer, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies.

“This represents the first small and mid-scale manufacturing  site in our global kojoX ecosystem, which provides our partners with supply chain flexibility and  agility. In leveraging kojoX across our sites, we are creating a framework where our partners can  easily scale up and out from process development through clinical and commercial.” 

"Thank you to our 960+ employees and community partners for their dedication in strengthening  the UK life sciences community and cementing the North East as one of Britain’s – and Europe’s  – leading biomanufacturing hubs. Through the FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ academic partnerships  with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, and the University of York, we are  building talent in STEM and advanced manufacturing, supporting the life sciences ecosystem,  and nurturing the next generation of Life Science specialists to make a difference,” said Jonathan  Haigh, senior vice president, head of UK Site, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. 

As part of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation’s sustainability goals, the new manufacturing building will be fully electrified and will maximise the use of renewable energy going forward3. 

3In this manufacturing building, all production processes that previously used gas as fuel have been electrified.  In addition, the site has set a target to run on 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

With a 25-year history of clinical and commercial CDMO experience, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’  UK site delivers a broad range of capabilities ranging from process development through current  GMP manufacturing. In addition, the new single-use manufacturing facility will feature the  Company's revolutionary SymphonX™ downstream processing skid, offering an all-in-one  equipment design to run all downstream unit operations across multiple scales — providing  flexibility of scaling in fed-batch and continuous processes. 

The FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ UK site has more than 960 employees working across its  facilities and is part of a global workforce of 5,000 people across the global FUJIFILM  Biotechnologies network. Overall, FUJIFILM Corporation’s diversified presence in the UK employs 1,700 people nationwide, and operates across the fields of photography, print and ink,  life sciences and diagnostic imaging – as a key partner and provider to the National Health  Service (NHS). 

Single-use manufacturing facility Process development facility

“This investment is a vote of confidence in the UK as one of the best places in the world to  develop and manufacture cutting-edge medicines and vaccines,” said Chancellor of the  Exchequer Rachel Reeves. “The North East is a real hub of innovation and this will support high skilled jobs, boost productivity and strengthen our life sciences supply chain in Teesside and right  across the Northern Growth Corridor.” 

“As a practising surgeon, I know just how crucial it is to harness medical breakthroughs, so  patients get the latest and most advanced treatments quickly and safely. This investment in  Teesside shows that Britain is one of the most attractive places in the world for life sciences and  innovation, and reflects the enduring partnership we have with Japan,” said Health Innovation  Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP. “This expansion demonstrates how the Life Sciences Sector Plan  and 10 Year Health Plan are giving confidence to medical innovators across the globe to deliver,  scale and grow in Britain – improving the resilience of UK medical supply chains, creating jobs and boosting the economy. By combining the care of the NHS with the ingenuity of our scientists,  our health service can truly become the envy of the world once again.” 

"We want to put the full weight of the UK's science and research expertise behind efforts to treat  and beat diseases. Fujifilm's expansion in Teesside will help us do exactly that - making the North  East the focal point of work to deliver cutting edge therapies which will transform outcomes for  patients all over the world,” said UK Science Minister Lord Vallance. "Continued backing for our  rich pool of talent and our world-leading life sciences sector will improve lives, create jobs, and  deliver new opportunities for hardworking communities." 

“Fujifilm’s £400 million investment in Billingham is a huge vote of confidence in our area and in  the world-class talent we have here on Teesside,” said Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North.  “This expansion will help develop and manufacture the next generation of medicines and  vaccines, while creating more highly-skilled jobs and opportunities for local people. Teesside, the  Infant Hercules, has always been a place that makes things upon which the world relies. As we  drive industrial renewal, projects like this bring pride back to our communities and show Britain at  its best: ambitious, innovative, and ready to lead.” 

“This is an enormous milestone for this incredible investment and it’s great to see Fujifilm’s new  facility finally come together after years of hard work,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “This is exactly the kind of long term, high value investment we’ve been backing from day one,  and Fujifilm’s decision to keep investing here shows real confidence in Teesside and in our  workforce. These are high-quality jobs being created in a hugely important sector, and they prove  beyond doubt that we have the skills, talent and expertise needed to deliver world-leading work  right here in Teesside.” 

“This facility is not just an investment from Fujifilm, it is a vote of confidence for the UK,  showcasing the North East as a place to build and scale globally competitive capability. At BIA,  we are hugely optimistic for the potential of the region, and are proud to play a role in expanding  life sciences innovation throughout the UK,” said Jane Wall, Managing Director, the BioIndustry  Association. “This site delivers cutting‑edge technology, high‑value jobs and long‑term vision,  demonstrating our country’s potential to leverage its talent, scientific excellence and industrial  base to lead in advanced biomanufacturing.”