USA—GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) is set to invest up to US$800 million in expanding its Marietta, Pennsylvania site, marking the company’s largest-ever single manufacturing investment in the US.
This move follows earlier investments in the UK and Belgium, as GSK aims to boost its global manufacturing capabilities.
The investment will fund the construction of a new vaccine drug substance facility and an R&D pilot plant.
With this sum, GSK’s total US manufacturing investment will reach nearly US$1.3 billion.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the expansion in a press release on 24 October, stating that construction is expected to begin by the end of 2024.
The drug substance facility is projected to be completed by 2027, while the drug product facility should be operational by 2028.
The new facilities will play a key role in advancing GSK’s Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) technology.
The drug substance facility will focus on MAPS-based products, while the drug product facility will support the production of medicines for clinical trials.
These developments are expected to generate over 200 new jobs and provide much-needed sterile liquid vaccines and medicines, for which demand continues to rise.
In line with its environmental goals, GSK plans to incorporate several sustainable features into the buildings.
The facilities will use solar panels, electric heat generation, and water and energy reclamation systems to reduce their carbon footprint.
The company, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, has committed to reducing its carbon output by 80% as part of this broader sustainability strategy.
To enhance efficiency, GSK will also integrate advanced technologies into the Marietta site, including digital twins, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered processes.
The facilities will be equipped with smart utility and electrical system monitoring, enabling streamlined operations and improved energy efficiency.
GSK’s Global Supply Chain President, Regis Simard, emphasized the significance of this investment, highlighting that it will transform Marietta into a hub for innovation and manufacturing, delivering next-generation vaccines and medicines to people worldwide.
This major US expansion is part of a larger trend for GSK, which has also made significant investments in other regions this year.
The company committed nearly US$260 million to its UK sites in January, focusing on new facilities and assembly line enhancements.
Additionally, GSK allocated over US$270 million to build a new vaccine production facility at its Wavre campus in Belgium.
The latter investment coincided with the launch of Arexvy, GSK’s new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
Pennsylvania has become a focal point for pharmaceutical investments, with several companies expanding their presence in the state.
In mid-October, CDMO Nucleus RadioPharma announced upgrades to its Springhouse site, which will create 50 new jobs.
Meanwhile, MSD operates the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the US, located in West Point, Pennsylvania.
In a related development, fellow UK-headquartered drugmaker AstraZeneca is considering relocating its manufacturing facilities from the UK to the US due to potential state funding cuts by the UK Labour government.
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