British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it plans to invest $30 billion across the United States in research and development and supply chain infrastructure over the next five years.
This includes a new $1.2 billion investment in advanced manufacturing facilities and AI and advanced digital technologies, to deliver new, next-generation biopharma factories and laboratories in the United States.
These investments build on GSK’s strong innovation and manufacturing footprint and capabilities in the United States today, developing and making products in the United States for the United States.
The $1.2 billion investment includes:
- Construction of an additional new biologics flex factory at Upper Merion, Pennsylvania to deliver potential best-in-class new medicines for respiratory disease (COPD, asthma) and cancer (haematological, gynaecological, lung and other solid tumours). Construction is planned to commence in 2026
- New AI and advanced digital technology capabilities across GSK’s existing 5 manufacturing sites in 4 States (Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Montana)
- New drug substance manufacturing capabilities
- New and enhanced device and auto-injector capabilities and assembly
Commenting on President Trump’s state visit to the UK and the announcement, GSK CEO Emma Walmsley says: “Alongside the many longstanding and vital shared interests that connect the UK and the United States, is advancing life sciences to get ahead of disease.
“This week’s state visit brings together two countries that have led the world in science and healthcare innovation. We are proud to be part of both.
“Here in the UK, we continue to invest in a significant manufacturing base and more than £1.5 billion in R&D every year.
“Today, we are committing to invest at least $30 billion in the United States over the next 5 years, further bolstering the already strong R&D and supply chain we have in the country.
“$1.2 billion of today’s announcement includes construction of an additional next-gen biologics ‘flex’ factory, powered by AI, advanced technologies and expert talent to produce transformational new respiratory and cancer medicines for American patients.”
The $30 billion investment in the US includes capital investments across GSK’s US supply chain, as well as increased investment in R&D drug discovery and development and clinical trial activity, with the US expected to rank first globally for the number of studies, sites and clinical trials participants conducted by GSK over the next five years.
Today’s announcement means GSK has committed new investments of approximately $2 billion in US manufacturing over the last 12 months.
In October 2024, construction began of a new $800 million facility at GSK’s Marietta, Pennsylvania site, doubling the size and capacity of the site.
These new manufacturing investments will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs (in addition to construction jobs), building upon GSK’s approximately 15,000 strong US workforce.
Last year, GSK’s global supply chain network delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and over 400 million vaccine doses to help towards our goal of positively impacting the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of 2030.
