North Carolina‘s Rise as a Biomanufacturing Hub Examined in Latest “the Readout LOUD” Podcast
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK,N.C. – A surge in biomanufacturing is transforming North Carolina into a major player in the pharmaceutical industry, and the latest episode of “the Readout LOUD” podcast dives deep into the factors driving this growth. Hosted by Adam Feuerstein and Allison DeWitt, the episode explores the investments, infrastructure, and talent fueling the boom, alongside broader industry trends impacting drug growth and approval.
The expansion in north Carolina isn’t happening in a vacuum. It reflects a broader shift in the biopharma landscape, with companies seeking diversified manufacturing locations and a skilled workforce. This growth has significant implications for drug supply chains,job creation,and access to innovative therapies. The podcast also addresses recent developments including the FDA‘s awarding of Commissioner’s National Priority Review vouchers to two companies, and a cautionary outlook from Flagship Pioneering founder Noubar Afeyan regarding the future of mRNA vaccine technology.
Feuerstein and DeWitt discuss the companies spearheading this push, and the meaning of receiving the first Commissioner’s National Priority Review voucher. They also explore Afeyan’s warning that mRNA vaccines might potentially be an indicator of broader challenges within the drug industry. DeWitt shares insights from her recent reporting on the ground in North Carolina, detailing the state’s strategic investments in biomanufacturing infrastructure and workforce development.
Listeners can find links to the related STAT News articles discussed in the episode: a report on North Carolina’s biomanufacturing boom (https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/15/biotech-north-carolina-manufacturing/),Afeyan’s warning to the drug industry (https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/20/moderna-founder-noubar-afeyan-science-attacks-go-beyond-vaccines/), updates on Moderna’s CMV vaccine trial (https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/moderna-cmv-vaccine-study-failure/), and details on the priority drug review voucher recipients (https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/fda-announces-priority-drug-review-vouchers/), and also plans to expand on the gene editing therapy that saved “Baby KJ” (https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/baby-kj-crispr-gene-editing-personalized-medicine-at-scale/).
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