Kyowa Kirin to Build $530M Facility in Sanford, NC

Key Highlights:

  • $530 million investment to build a 171,700-square-foot facility in Sanford, NC.

  • Creates over 100 local jobs with an average salary of $91,496.

  • Facility to manufacture innovative biologic therapies for rare and serious diseases.

  • Construction begins in late 2024, fully operational by 2027.

  • Supported by $10 million in state and local incentives, boosting North Carolina's economy by $1.05 billion.

Source (PR Newswire)

Notable Quotes

"The extraordinary complexity of the medicines we manufacture requires specialized skills and resources that are in plentiful supply in Sanford and the Research Triangle region."

Paul Testa, Executive Vice President, Regional Head North America/EMEA Manufacturing at Kyowa Kirin North America

"Our North American presence continues to grow through strategic investments that are adding new capabilities, new therapeutic expertise, and new talent to our global organization, all in service of meeting patients' needs."

Steve Schaefer, President at Kyowa Kirin North American

"The new facility will be scalable with our Takasaki Plant in Japan to help ease technology transfer between the two plants and add production capacity."

Toshiyuki Kurata, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Global Manufacturing Head at Kyowa Kirin

Our Take:

Kyowa Kirin significant investment in Sanford, North Carolina, reflects a strategic move to enhance its manufacturing capabilities for biologic therapies. By situating the facility within the Research Triangle Park, Kyowa Kirin is poised to leverage the region's rich biomanufacturing resources and talent pool. This development not only underscores the company's commitment to addressing the unmet needs of patients with rare diseases but also highlights its role in contributing to local economic growth. The partnership with local educational institutions and businesses further aligns with Kyowa Kirin's values of innovation, teamwork, and integrity, promising a synergistic approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing and community development.