Novartis Breaks Ground on Flu Vaccine Facility 8/23/07

The pharmaceutical giant Novartis broke ground in Holly Springs Thursday on a flu vaccine facility that could provide protection for more than half the nation in the event of a pandemic, company officials said.

In addition to seasonal flu vaccine, the speed and flexibility of new manufacturing technology will enable Novartis to produce 150 million doses of flu vaccine within six months of a pandemic declaration.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Holly Springs and the state of North Carolina in this effort," said Dr. Joerg Reinhardt, chief executive officer for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.

Clearing for the facility began last summer in Holly Springs Business Park, and construction crews will begin erecting steel this winter. Completion of the first buildings is expected in late 2008. Novartis will employ 350 technicians and managers by 2011.

Town officials joined nearly 100 other invited guests in an air conditioned tent on the construction site in the business park. Dignitaries included Novartis officials and federal, state and local leaders.

Congressman David Price, who is chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, noted that the Novartis facility will be on the "front lines" of a pandemic response.

"I know you travel all over the world," he said to Reinhardt and the other Novartis officials. "I don't think you'll ever find an area more hospitable or better prepared to meet expectations."

Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears recalled the pride he felt for Holly Springs when standing in the State Capitol on July 18, 2006 as Gov. Mike Easley announced Novartis' decision.

"If you think this is a great day for the state of North Carolina," Sears told the governor then, "think what a great day it is for the town of Holly Springs."

Reinhardt said Novartis chose Holly Springs because of the area's research universities; its highly educated and skilled workforce; and the unrivaled cooperation of academia, business and government.

Last year, the Town Council approved approximately $8.3 million in incentives to Novartis for land acquisition and site development. In addition, the Town agreed to make public infrastructure improvements in the business park such as road extension and widening and water and sewer improvements.

The Novartis facility is projected to generate more than $150 million annually for the Holly Springs economy beginning in 2010, according to a recent economic benefit analysis.

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