Belgium-based biopharmaceutical company UCB announced plans for a major $5 billion investment in a new biologics manufacturing facility in the United States, marking a significant expansion of the company's domestic production capabilities. The facility is designed to serve UCB's growing number of U.S. patients while delivering substantial economic impact through job creation and strengthened supply chain resilience.
Strategic Investment in U.S. Manufacturing
The planned state-of-the-art facility represents UCB's commitment to bringing production closer to one of its fastest-growing markets. The company, which focuses on treatments for immunology and central nervous system diseases, expects the investment to create approximately 300 permanent, highly skilled direct jobs in biologics manufacturing, plus more than 500 positions during the construction phase.
"This investment reflects our growing impact in the US and our ambition to bring our forthcoming pipeline to patients around the world," said UCB CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier. "By expanding our biologics manufacturing footprint, we're not only reinforcing our global supply chain—we're also contributing to the vitality of biomedical innovation, high-skilled jobs, and long-term economic impact in the US."
Building on Established U.S. Presence
UCB's expansion builds on nearly three decades of U.S. operations, having entered the market in 1994. The company currently employs approximately 2,000 people across the country, with its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta and three research and development centers in Seattle, Boston, and Durham, North Carolina.
Since 2017, UCB has demonstrated significant commitment to the U.S. market, expanding its workforce by 73% and investing $4.5 billion in acquisitions and capital investments. This growth strategy has yielded substantial regulatory success, with the company achieving 15 FDA approvals or indication expansions over the past eight years—eight of which occurred in just the past two years.
Location Selection and Implementation
UCB is currently conducting a comprehensive feasibility study to determine the optimal location for the new facility, focusing on regions that offer strong talent pipelines and robust innovation ecosystems. The company has not yet disclosed specific locations under consideration, but emphasized the importance of accessing skilled workforce capabilities.
In addition to the new manufacturing facility, UCB plans to continue scaling up its partnerships with U.S.-based Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) to support production of its growth drivers and future pipeline products.
Market Context and Industry Trends
The investment comes amid broader industry trends toward domestic manufacturing expansion, with major pharmaceutical companies including Sanofi, Gilead, and Merck investing more than $200 billion in U.S. projects since the current administration took office. For UCB, the domestic facility will create a shorter and more resilient supply chain for U.S. customers while supporting the company's global manufacturing capacity needs.
The facility is expected to generate significant value across communities through increased economic activity, partnerships, and job creation, reinforcing UCB's long-term commitment to innovation, sustainable healthcare, and economic contribution in the United States.
