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The pharma and biotech sectors continue to rapidly transform in response to rising demand for innovative therapies. While less fortunate players are shedding jobs, in 2024, major players like AbbVie, AGC Biologics, and Amgen are investing heavily in new manufacturing facilities worldwide, from Singapore to Japan and the U.S. Companies expanding in North Carolina, Ohio, and Iceland signal a push to make innovative medicines and advanced therapies more accessible globally.
The map below shows select new plant openings and expansions announced in 2024, with 8 in North America and 15 in other regions
North America
United States
- Amgen opened a new AI-enabled biomanufacturing facility in New Albany, Ohio, employing roughly 400 people. The $365 million investment features automation, AI, and data-driven manufacturing processes. Amgen also plans to advance drug discovery using AI models at deCODE genetics’ headquarters.
- AstraZeneca announced a $300 million investment in a new cell therapy facility in Rockville, Maryland. This facility will initially focus on producing T-cell therapies for global clinical trials.
- Novartis has opened a new radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, for the manufacturing of Pluvicto for advanced metastatic prostate cancer.
- Other expansions in the U.S. include Alcami Corporation’s new Pharma Storage and Services operations facility in Garner, North Carolina, and Cellares’ new manufacturing site in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Canada
- Novartis’ new radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, is expected to bolster supply capacity in North America.
Europe
Germany
- Boehringer Ingelheim announced a €120 million investment to expand and upgrade its plant in Koropi, Greece, increasing manufacturing capacity for new and existing medications.
- Daiichi Sankyo announced a €1 billion investment to expand its production and development site in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany, focusing on antibody-drug conjugates.
United Kingdom
- GSK plans to invest over £200 million ($253 million) through 2025 in the UK to bolster its supply network. This includes upgrades to its Montrose, Scotland site for API production and a new site in Ware, England for producing medicines.
Asia-Pacific
Japan
- AGC Biologics announced the construction of a new manufacturing facility at AGC’s Yokohama Technical Center in Japan, expected to be operational in 2026. The facility will offer services for mammalian-based protein biologics, cell therapies, and mRNA.
Singapore
- AbbVie announced a $223 million expansion of its Singapore biologics manufacturing facility, adding 24,000 liters of biologics drug-substance capacity.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a new sterile drug facility in Singapore to support the research, development, and manufacturing of medicines and vaccines for the Asia-Pacific market.
China
- WuXi AppTec commissioned a new peptide manufacturing plant in China to meet the growing demand for peptide therapeutics.
- A related entity, WuXi Biologics, is also bolstering the capability of its site, increasing capacity to meet growing demand.