FUJIFILM Biotechnologies unveils biomanufacturing and process development expansion in the UK
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 £400 million from FUJIFILM Corporation, Japan, includes the opening of the largest single-use biopharmaceutical CDMO facility in the UK, 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, 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.
Jane Wall, Managing Director, the BioIndustry Association, said:
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. 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.
Toshihisa Iida, director, corporate vice president, general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, and chairman, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, said:
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. 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.
Lars Petersen, president and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, said:
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. 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.
Jonathan Haigh, senior vice president, head of UK Site, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, said:
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.
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 forward.
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).
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
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. 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.
Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP said:
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. 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.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:
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. 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.
British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, said:
FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ £400 million expansion in Teesside is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s world‑leading life sciences sector. Japanese companies continue to choose the UK for our skilled workforce and cutting‑edge Research & Development. Our UK–Japan relationship has never been stronger: bilateral trade now stands at £33.4 billion, and Japanese investment reached £102 billion in 2024, supporting over 150,000 jobs across the UK. I’m delighted to see this investment create new opportunities and further strengthens our growing UK–Japan collaboration in life sciences.
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, said:
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. 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.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:
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. 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.
