UK's Largest Medicine and Vaccine Factory Opens Following Major £400 Million Expansion
A monumental £400 million expansion of a critical medicine and vaccine manufacturing facility in the North East has officially launched, establishing it as the largest site of its kind anywhere in the United Kingdom. This strategic development positions its workforce at the very forefront of the global battle against devastating diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's.
Health Innovation Minister Zubir Ahmed declared that the inauguration of Fujifilm Biotechnologies' new 'Borealis' complex and its accompanying research laboratories powerfully symbolizes the nation's ambitious goal to become Europe's preeminent life sciences economy by the year 2030.
Royal and Diplomatic Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony was a prestigious event, attended by Prince Edward, senior global executives from Fujifilm, and the Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, alongside key Government representatives. The expansion, which involved constructing new factory space and advanced research facilities at the existing Belasis Avenue location in Billingham, now constitutes the UK's largest single-use contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) facility.
Fujifilm leadership detailed how this enhanced site will dramatically accelerate the delivery of vital, "life-impacting" medicines to patients in need. The substantial investment has introduced state-of-the-art bioreactors to the plant, massively increasing its capacity to produce essential medicines and vaccines that are administered via syringe.
Innovation and Economic Confidence
The factory campus also features a new Bioprocess Innovation Centre, where scientists will conduct pioneering research and development on treatments for some of the world's most prevalent and challenging health conditions.
Minister Ahmed stated that this move represents a profound vote of confidence in both the North East region and the UK's manufacturing and life sciences sectors. He elaborated, "This is about being agile and innovative; looking outward to both east and west, strengthening our medicine supply chains while creating high-skilled jobs across all our regions. We are doing everything possible to ensure companies like Fujifilm continue to choose and grow in the UK."
He further highlighted the government's commitment, saying, "We aim to make the UK the best country in the world to design, trial, and manufacture modern medicines through targeted capital grants and innovation programmes. We are prepared to put our money where our mouth is, with up to £520 million in life sciences innovation and manufacturing funding, alongside schemes like the VPAG Investment Programme for sustainable medicines manufacturing. The UK is a global research and development powerhouse."
A Milestone for the Region and UK-Japan Relations
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North and Minister for Industry, described the opening as a momentous occasion for Billingham and a "big statement about the future of the UK." He emphasized the strong regional ties, noting, "What a great connection we have here in the North East with Japan. From Nissan in Sunderland to Komatsu in Birtley, Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe, and now Fujifilm here in my constituency, there is this powerful link between our manufacturing communities and Japan."
He underscored the broader significance, adding, "This investment we celebrate is partly about Billingham and the North East, but it also powerfully strengthens the relationship between two great friends: Britain and Japan."
Corporate Vision for Patient Impact
Lars Peterson, Chief Executive and President of Fujifilm Biotechnologies, explained the company's mission, stating, "As a leading CDMO, we exist to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. Our work spans therapies and vaccines for conditions including cancer, Alzheimer's, and rare disorders. We are relentless about the journey from idea to impact, bringing the right science, scale, and reliability to help therapies reach patients faster."
He detailed that the opening fulfills this promise in three key ways. "First, with this manufacturing expansion, we are inaugurating the UK's first single-use node in our global kojoX network. This brings both 2,000-litre and 5,000-litre scale single-use bioreactors, standardized equipment, and harmonized methods to allow faster changeover, seamless technology transfers, and resilient supply despite global disruptions."
Toshihisa Iida, Chairman of Fujifilm Biotechnologies, reinforced the company's long-term commitment, stating, "Over the past decade, Fujifilm has invested more than £5 billion globally to grow our CDMO business, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to increasing production capacity and capabilities to meet the growing global demand for innovative medicines and vaccines. This UK expansion will enable us to support our partners' products from process development to early clinical manufacturing—from low-volume therapies for ultra-rare diseases to commercial biologics—all from one integrated site."
