Pharmaceutical Manufacturer to Create 100 Jobs with First U.S. Facility in Harnett County | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

KriGen Pharmaceuticals to Invest $7 Million in Lillington
    RALEIGH: KriGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a pharmaceutical company, selects Harnett County for its first U.S. manufacturing facility, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. KriGen will create 100 jobs while investing $7 million in Lillington.

    "North Carolina is a leader in life science research and development, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing," said Governor Cooper. "With our strong workforce and room to grow, KriGen has made a great choice for its first North American manufacturing operation and we welcome the new jobs and investment to Harnett County."

    A privately held Indian company, KriGen Pharmaceuticals will manufacture medical IV bags and liquid injectables in its new 55,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility. The company aims to improve quality of life for patients with affordable pharmaceutical solutions and services through innovation and technology. KriGen researches and develops healthcare solutions and high-quality pharmaceuticals.

    "The vision of KriGen Pharmaceuticals is to improve the quality of human lives by providing affordable pharmaceutical formulations based on innovation and technology," said Chief Financial Officer for KriGen Pharmaceuticals, Dhruvkumar Patel. "We aspire to be the best healthcare solution providers with finished product formulation solutions for generic, as well as branded, pharmaceutical companies."

    "As a biomanufacturing trailblazer, North Carolina is poised for companies like KriGen," said Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. "Their footprint in Harnett County will have a great economic impact in and around their chosen site."

    The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company's decision to expand to the state.


    Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $42,570. The average annual wage in Harnett County is $33,061.

    A performance-based grant of $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate KriGen Pharmaceutical's new operation in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

    "It's exciting to see an international pharmaceutical company establish their U.S. operations in our state," said N.C. Senator Jim Burgin. "KriGen's decision to open in Lillington will give other companies a great vote of confidence in Harnett County."

    "An investment of $7 million and 100 jobs is great news for Harnett County," said N.C. Representative David R. Lewis. "KriGen Pharmaceuticals will find great success in our growing region of skilled workers for many years to come."

    In addition to N.C. Commerce and the EDPNC, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Harnett County, Harnett County's Economic Development Office and the Town of Lillington.

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov