Operations and manufacturing

Kyowa Kirin has been built on a foundation of strength in terms of our Kirin history and since then we’ve really evolved them to be leaders in many aspects of our operational efforts. 

Supply chain is absolutely critical to anything we do as a pharmaceutical company. 

We have a fantastic supply chain right now, but when we look at our future, the area that we need capacity is not in the things that we have on market today, but the things that we are planning on bringing to market in the future. 

The value that we expect to get from our North Carolina manufacturing facility will be substantial in a number of ways.  

We expect to bring a second source of manufacturing capabilities into our portfolio. 

We’re excited about the prospects of being able to really deploy new digital technologies, new manufacturing techniques, automation and digital control mechanisms within our manufacturing facility. 

Beyond that we would expect to have greater capability that is multiple site capabilities such that we would be able to go to market more quickly either with clinical supply or early-stage commercial supply to support launch.  

The first thing that I tried to explain to people about key work here and that are unfamiliar with our company are the collaborative nature that we go about our business and the innovative ways that we work to solve problems, whether those problems be in any aspect of our business. 

The culture that we have is our one of our secret sauces, certainly one of our greatest strengths. 

From my perspective, the company has four global values that we are all committed to around the world. 

And one that’s really special is teamwork. Wa. Wa means harmony. 

And we really see it as the special sauce, I guess in our culture because it really inspires us to to bring people together and to find the best way of working together.  

And so we like to have really passionate and diverse teams made-up of people with different backgrounds. It’s how we create the best results as a team. 

I think it’s unlimited opportunity. 

We have a tremendous baseline portfolio that is young in its life cycle and it’s growing incredibly rapidly. 

We are the fastest growing region within Kyowa Kirin.  

I think about what the future of Kyowa Kirin North America is, I think for those that are here, it’s our story to write. 
And I think that’s a very unique opportunity when you’re part of a pharmaceutical company. 

I’m extremely excited that we’re going to be joining another thriving biotechnology hub, which is actually North Carolina. 

That community is very, very solid as far as their commitment to life sciences and it’s going to be great to be a partner in that state and that community.  

They have an incredible ecosystem to support the biotechnology industry and they have colleges that are we’re working hand in hand with industry to make sure that they grow the next generation of biotechnology talent.  

And we’re really thrilled to join that community and be part of growing that talent base, both for our own company, but also for the industry overall, because it’s going to benefit patients in the end. 

Welcome to our formal groundbreaking ceremony here in Sanford. It’s great to welcome you all here, and it’s great to have you here. This, as many of you know, will be our first manufacturing facility here in the United States, right here in Sanford.

So we’re thrilled to be with you today. 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. And this new facility will not only bring new jobs and economic opportunities, but it will also serve as a beacon of hope for the individuals and families that are waiting for the next breakthrough in treatment and in care. 

We’re excited to see companies like this, not only because of the investments and because of the good paying jobs, but because of the impact that you are having on the lives of patients, families, and healthcare providers around the world.

We were invited to speak because my daughter has a rare disease. It is called X linked hypophosphatemia Ricketts or XLH for short. We began the long and difficult journey that so many rare disease families make, trying one medication after another, seeking any therapy that might hold a chance of alleviating her symptoms. 

Thankfully, Kyowa Kirin is uniquely focused on researching and developing therapies in the rare disease space, applying the time, resources, and expertise to aid patients with unmet medical needs. 

Let me tell you about Nash. He was the sickest of the litter and had rickets and required vitamin D treatments. I was amazed to learn that a dog could have rickets, the same disease as mine.  I immediately pulled up my pant leg to show the curve in my leg and my scars on my knees. My mom and dad were speechless. 

This was really the first time that I was accepting of my condition and it was all because of this rescue dog. 

Today’s event marks the giant step forward in our Vision 2030, which say Kyowa Kirin will realize the successful creation and delivery of life changing value that ultimately makes people smile. 

Our special dog has helped me to see that it is OK to be different. I realize that everyone, in their own way, has their own rickets to deal with. It might not be rickets, it could be something else, but we all have our crosses to bear. And when you accept that, you’re more at peace with yourself and the world.