A pharmaceutical firm has announced a £400m investment at its North East facility, creating up to 350 new jobs.
Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies –which is producing doses of the Novavax coronavirus vaccine – first trailed the investment at its Billingham site in the summer as part of a global programme worth 90 billion yen (around £600m).
Now it has confirmed that the investment will double the size of its site in Billingham, making it the largest multi-modal biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in the 海角视频.
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The new facilities are expected to be operational by late 2023.
Chief executive Martin Meeson said: “We all know that there has never been a more important time to invest in biopharmaceuticals and £400m, the largest investment in British biopharmaceutical manufacturing for decades, signals Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ intent to be able to offer multi-modal options to respond to our customers’ needs with flexibility and agility to help solve public health demands, and deliver the medicines and vaccines of tomorrow.
“With a strong growing demand for microbial, cell culture and viral gene therapy services, we are adding the capacity and latest technologies within one campus to offer a range of modalities to build an offering that will deliver novel promising treatments to patients for years to come.”
The new investment will see the company’s gene therapy production increased tenfold. Cell culture capacity will be tripled and microbial fermentation output at the existing facility will be doubled.
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The company has also increased investment in its facility in Darlington this year.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted that Fujifilm has identified the massive potential in the 海角视频 for growth and innovation.
“At £400m, this is a significant investment in British biopharmaceutical manufacturing and will power our response to some of today’s most urgent global health challenges and deliver life-changing medicines and vaccines to patients in need.”
Paul Found, the company’s chief operating officer, added: “It’s our vision for the Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies’ site in Billingham to be the beating heart of the rapidly expanding North East Life Sciences ecosystem, and this investment will create up to 350 highly skilled jobs and additional benefits across the local and national supply chain.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “Fujifilm is a global household name that’s helping us lead the 海角视频 in our innovative biosciences sector and this £400m investment is a major statement for Teesside.
“This makes our region as the number one location for biosciences investment outside of Cambridge – a staggering achievement that we’re now reaping the rewards for.
“A few years ago I met the global Fujifilm executives in their board room in Japan and we supported the firm with £3.6m for its new biocampus, which opened earlier this year, paving the way for this mammoth new site and this incredible new investment.
“I’m delighted they’ve committed even more to our region, creating 350 good-quality, well-paid jobs for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool while helping to attract and keep the best and brightest here.”