Kyowa Kirin Breaks Ground On New Manufacturing Site In Sanford NC

Local, regional, and state officials joined executives from Kyowa Kirin in Sanford on Monday, Sept. 9, to celebrate the groundbreaking for the company’s new biologics manufacturing facility.

The Japanese company, which has a U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing site at Helix Innovation Park at The Brickyard in Sanford. The new $530 million facility is expected to create more than 100 jobs and help the company create and deliver novel medicines for patients with rare diseases and unmet medical needs. Sanford Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon said the city was proud to be associated with Kyowa Kirin.

“We are rooted in a rich history of agriculture, pottery, commerce and manufacturing,” Salmon said to the audience of about 100 at the construction site. “We are proud that we still make things here. And today that means being part of cutting-edge advanced manufacturing and state-of-the-art biologic therapies.”

Salmon said that Kyowa Kirin’s decision to build its facility in Sanford was a testament to the collaborative approach the state, the region, the city, and the community college system have taken, bringing together many partners for economic development.

North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Baker Sanders said that she and Gov. Roy Cooper often talk with CEOs worldwide about what they need to successfully execute their strategic objectives. “The number one thing they’re looking for is talent,” she said. “And North Carolina is a place where talent can be found.”

“Today’s celebration is a signal to the rest of the world that North Carolina and Sanford are indeed the best places to do business,” Sanders said.

An XLH journey

JoBeth Souza, president of XLH Network, and her daughter, KaraBeth, who live in Winston-Salem, shared their family’s journey navigating the rare disease and the importance of accelerating the development of novel therapies for patients with unmet medical needs. XLH (X-Linked Hyperphosphataemia) is a rare genetic and progressive renal phosphate wasting disorder that causes abnormalities in the bones, muscles and joints.

The Souza’s also introduced their new children’s book featuring their adopted puppy, which has an illness similar to XLH and helped KaraBeth come to terms with her disease. 

The groundbreaking event also featured Kyowa Kirin executives and NC officials symbolically placing shovels in the ground to commemorate the start of construction in September. 

Kyowa Kirin officials also took part in a “Daruma Doll ceremony” to acknowledge the company’s new endeavor and serve as a cultural talisman of good fortune, acknowledging the traits of discipline, focus, perseverance, and sacrifice necessary for success.

A champagne toast at the close of the event featured locally crafted ceramic sake cups.