Ypsomed to invest $249M, create 62 new jobs in Holly Springs

Ypsomed AG, a Swiss developer and manufacturer of injection systems for the self-administration of liquid medication, announced plans to invest $249 million (200 million Swiss francs) in the initial phase of establishing its first North American manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, N.C. 

Headquartered in Burgdorf, Switzerland, Ypsomed has multiple production sites around the world and employs about 2,200 people. The North American manufacturing facility will expand its production capacity, with the company’s plans initially calling for 62 new jobs, with the intention to grow significantly in the coming years.

“Establishing our new production site in the United States marks an important step in Ypsomed’s global growth strategy. We have deliberately chosen Holly Springs, a location at the heart of our industry, close to our customers,” said Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed. “The cooperative approach of the local authorities, the excellent infrastructure, and the proximity to top-tier universities provide ideal conditions for our future growth. This environment will allow us to attract the skilled workforce we need and to further strengthen our position as a leading supplier of self-injection systems worldwide, while contributing to the security of supply for the U.S. healthcare market.”

Holly Springs has experienced rapid growth in the life sciences industry, with several notable expansions joining long-term resident CSL Seqirus. 

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies recently celebrated the opening of the first phase of its new massive end-to-end biomanufacturing facility, which counts Johnson & Johnson and Regeneron as customers. Earlier this year, Amgen held a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony for its $1.5B drug substance facility, and Genentech held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $700M fill/finish facility. 

“This announcement brings an expansion in the life science offerings in Holly Springs, diversifying the types of companies located here,” said Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayefskie, in a news release. “Everyone knows about the global biotech leaders who call Holly Springs home, and Ypsomed will provide needed supplies to contribute to the creation of life-saving medications these companies will produce right here in Holly Springs.”

With more than 650 life sciences operations in the Research Triangle region alone, all phases of the biopharmaceutical supply chain are represented from research through product development, device manufacturing, fill/finish, and delivery. Wake County brings together research, talent, and community to scale the industry and move ideas to market.

“We’re excited that Ypsomed chose Wake County as the location of its first North American manufacturing facility,” said Chair Susan Evans of the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

Keys to the biopharma supply chain

Ypsomed joins several other key players in the state’s growing number of life sciences supply chain companies, including newcomers Nipro Medical Corp., SCHOTT Pharma USA and Greensboro’s Core Technology, a supplier of precision plastic solutions for diagnostics, medical technology and pharmaceuticals, among other industries. 

Nipro, a medical equipment company based in Osaka, Japan, announced in July 2024 that it planned to invest $397.8 million to develop a new manufacturing facility and create 232 jobs in Greenville, N.C., one of Pitt County’s growing cities. The new facility will produce state-of-the-art medical devices that support patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other renal health issues. 

Part of SHOTT Pharma AG, a global specialty glass manufacturer based in Germany, SCHOTT Pharma USA announced in March 2024 that it planned to invest $371 million over five years to build a new production facility in Wilson that would create 401 jobs and produce glass pre-fillable syringes and cartridges for biopharma companies.

“North Carolina’s life sciences industry continues to strengthen its full spectrum of capabilities from innovation to patient impact,” said Laura Rowley, Ph.D., vice president of life sciences economic development for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. “Ypsomed is a wonderful complement to the ecosystem, bringing its decades of expertise in the injection business to the state.”

Similarly, Nipro’s and SCHOTT Pharma’s products are key to the supply chain of other life sciences companies that produce injectable products, such as those manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Lilly, and others in N.C. and beyond.

“The self-injectable market is a quickly evolving and expanding market,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Welcoming a company like Ypsomed into our dynamic life sciences community is a tremendous win for Holly Springs, Wake County, North Carolina, and all the people Ypsomed continues to support through its innovative products.”

Leveraging existing biopharma space

Ypsomed has selected THE YIELD Holly Springs, a purpose-built life science campus developed by Crescent Communities. They plan to occupy approximately 100,000 square feet of space and be operational by the end of 2027.

THE YIELD, located on Holly Springs New Hill Road in Holly Springs, is one of several speculative spaces in and around the Triangle that were developed with life sciences companies in mind. 

Other locations include Spark Life Sciences, where Coriolis Pharma recently announced it would be occupying space, and Pathway Triangle, where Liquidia recently announced its lease to provide additional lab and manufacturing space. Both Spark LS and Pathway are in Morrisville.

These developments provide a range of options to enhance speed to market for life sciences companies seeking to expand or establish a presence in the region. 

Collaboration of many partners

Numerous partners collaborated on the project, including:

•    The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
•    NCBiotech
•    Capital Area Workforce Development Board
•    Duke Energy
•    Wake County Board of Commissioners
•    Wake County Economic Development, a program of the Greater Raleigh Chamber
•    Wake Technical Community College
•    The Town of Holly Springs