GSK announces a massive $30B investment in US R&D & supply chain, including $1.2B for AI-driven biopharma factories. The plan features a new biologics plant in PA for respiratory & cancer drugs.
LONDON / PHILADELPHIA – In one of the largest commitments to the U.S. healthcare sector, global biopharma giant GSK plc has unveiled a sweeping plan to invest $30 billion in the United States over the next five years. The massive investment will fuel research and development and significantly upgrade supply chain infrastructure, with a core focus on integrating artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies into next-generation manufacturing.
A substantial portion of this investment, $1.2 billion, is earmarked specifically for transforming its U.S. manufacturing operations into AI-driven “biopharma factories and labs,” cementing the country’s role as GSK’s leading market for innovation and production.
Building the Future of Medicine: Key Manufacturing Investments
The $1.2 billion manufacturing infusion will be deployed across several critical areas:
- New Biologics Facility in Pennsylvania: The cornerstone is the construction of a new biologics “flex factory” at GSK’s Upper Merion, PA campus. Scheduled to break ground in 2026, this facility will be dedicated to producing potential best-in-class medicines for respiratory diseases (like COPD and asthma) and various cancers (including hematological, gynecological, and lung cancers).
- AI and Digital Transformation: GSK will rollout new AI and advanced digital technology capabilities across its existing five U.S. manufacturing sites in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Montana. This digital upgrade aims to enhance efficiency, precision, and scalability.
- Expanded Production Capabilities: The investment also covers new drug substance manufacturing capabilities and enhanced device and auto-injector assembly lines, crucial for the delivery of modern biologic medicines.
A Broader $30 Billion Vision for R&D and Clinical Leadership
The GSK $30 billion US investment biopharma manufacturing AI is part of a much broader strategy. The $30 billion figure encompasses:
- Capital investments across GSK’s entire U.S. supply chain.
- A significant increase in R&D funding for drug discovery and development.
- A major expansion of clinical trial activity.
The U.S. is expected to rank first globally for the number of GSK-led studies, trial sites, and participants over the next five years, solidifying its central role in the company’s global pipeline.
Job Creation and Recent Manufacturing Momentum
This announcement builds on a year of substantial U.S. investment for GSK, which has committed approximately $2 billion in U.S. manufacturing in the last 12 months alone. This includes an $800 million expansion of its Marietta, PA site that began construction in October 2024.
These projects will create hundreds of new highly skilled jobs, adding to GSK’s existing U.S. workforce of approximately 15,000 employees.
GSK CEO Emma Walmsley tied the investment to the strong U.S.-U.K. partnership, stating, “Today, we are committing to invest at least $30 billion in the U.S. over the next 5 years, further bolstering the already strong R&D and supply chain we have in the country.”
The GSK $30 billion US investment biopharma manufacturing AI represents a profound bet on the future of healthcare. By marrying massive R&D spending with intelligent, automated manufacturing, GSK is not just expanding its capacity; it is fundamentally reengineering how medicines are discovered, developed, and delivered, ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of the global life sciences industry.