Fujifilm Unveils £400m UK Biomanufacturing Expansion

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies announced the expansion of its new manufacturing cite located in Teesside, UK, with the goal of increasing localized capacity for medicines and vaccines.¹ The £400 million (US $547m) expansion of the site introduces 19,000 liters of single-use capacity to support the lifecycle of complex medicines. Toshihisa Iida, director, corporate vice president, general manager of Life Sciences Strategy Headquarters and Bio CDMO Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, and chairman, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, noted in a press release,¹ "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.”

How Will Single-Use Capacity and Process Innovation Impact Development Timelines?

The facility features 2,000 liter and 5,000 liter single-use bioreactors.¹ These enable the agility required to transition between small- and mid-scale programs. Iida explained,¹ “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 site integrates the Bioprocess Innovation Centre UK, a 102,200-square foot laboratory for high-throughput and continuous process development.¹ Lars Petersen, president and chief executive officer, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, noted in a press release,¹ "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.” Downstream efficiency is further enhanced by the SymphonX processing skid, which manages multiple unit operations across fed-batch and continuous processes.

In What Ways Does Global Harmonization Streamline Technology Transfer?

The site utilizes the kojoX modular approach to harmonize technology across a global CDMO network.¹ This framework allows for rapid technology transfer between the UK and global facilities. Petersen added,¹ “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.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves remarked in the press release,¹ “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.” Jonathan Haigh, senior vice president, head of UK Site, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, added in that press release,¹ "Through the FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ academic partnerships... 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.”

How Is Fujifilm Pushing Biologics Forward?

Fujifilm Biotechnologies is building their manufacturing framework in line with current industry trends.² The integration of small-scale single-use facilities with high-capacity stainless-steel plants creates a cohesive ecosystem that supports a biologic throughout its entire lifecycle. This unified approach eliminates the historical fragmentation between agile clinical supply and large-scale commercial demand. By utilizing modular designs and consistent operating principles, programs can transition seamlessly between modalities and geographies.

How Do Diverse Scaling Strategies Enhance Lifecycle Management?

Beyond traditional scale-up, an integrated ecosystem offers scale-out through multi-lane architectures and scale-on by increasing productivity via connected processing.² These strategies allow Fujifilm Biotechnologies to respond to fluctuating clinical requirements or niche commercial demands without the risk of capacity bottlenecks. Using the same vessel for various process types, such as fed-batch or perfusion, reduces the need for engineering changes as a molecule matures.

Why Is Operational Standardization Critical for Global Supply Security?

Standardizing equipment and digital systems across a global network accelerates technology transfer and reduces validation burdens.² Azam Razzaq, senior director of bioprocess strategy and development, Fujifilm Biotechnologies, noted in a whitepaper report,² "Integrated manufacturing ecosystems—spanning single-use and stainless steel, upstream and downstream intensification, and global operational standardization— represent the next evolution in biologics production.” This consistency ensures that manufacturing performance remains predictable, regardless of which facility produces the batch.

References

1. FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. FUJIFILM Biotechnologies Unveils Biomanufacturing and Process Development Expansion in the United Kingdom. Press Release. Feb 11, 2026.
2. FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. How FUJIFILM Biotechnologies’ Integrated Biologics Manufacturing Ecosystem Is Redefining Speed, Scale, and Sustainability. White Paper. Jan 23, 2026.