Central Pa. part of GSK $30B investment in U.S. manufacturing

Central Pennsylvania is part of GSK‘s recent announcement that it is investing $30 billion in R&D and manufacturing in the United States over next five years.

A global biopharma company with U.S. headquarters is in Philadelphia and global headquarters in London, England, GSK’s global supply chain network delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and over 400 million vaccine doses last year. The company’s announcement means GSK has committed new investments of approximately $2 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the last 12 months, including Central Pennsylvania.

In October 2024, construction began of a new $800 million facility at GSK’s Marietta in Lancaster County, doubling the size and capacity of the site. These new manufacturing investments are expected to create hundreds of highly skilled jobs, in addition to construction jobs, thus building upon GSK’s approximately 15,000 strong U.S. workforce.

“Last October, GSK made its largest single investment ever in manufacturing in the United States right here in Marietta, and we’re excited to have them double down on Pennsylvania with this new investment,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger said recently. “It proves once again that our 10-Year Economic Development Strategy is working.

“A national leader in the biotech and life sciences industry, the commonwealth has so much to offer companies — including our key location, research infrastructure, and skilled workforce. The Shapiro Administration looks forward to working with GSK as they continue to grow and succeed in Pennsylvania,” added Siger.

Last year, the Shapiro Administration and DCED helped support GSK’s $800 million dollar expansion of its facility in Marietta. Pennsylvania invested $21 million in the project, which will create at least 200 new, high-paying jobs. The project was the largest commonwealth-supported economic development project in the history of Lancaster County.

The GSK expansion project in Marietta was coordinated by Governor Shapiro’s BusinessPA team, a group of economic development professionals dedicated to helping businesses succeed in Pennsylvania through guidance, strategic partnerships, and financial resources.

GSK’s investment includes a new $1.2 billion investment in manufacturing facilities, AI and advanced digital technologies, and are expected to create hundreds of skilled U.S. jobs. New

facilities are expected to bridge R&D and manufacturing across the U.S. and U.K., strengthening life sciences. Next-generation biopharma factories and laboratories in the U.S. are aimed at building GSK’s manufacturing footprint and capabilities.

“Alongside the many longstanding and vital shared interests that connect the U.K. and the United States, is advancing life sciences to get ahead of disease,” GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said. “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 U.K., we continue to invest in a significant manufacturing base and more than $1.5 billion in R&D every year.

The $1.2 billion investment includes the following:

• 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 (hematological, gynecological, lung and other solid tumors). Construction is planned to commence in 2026.

• New AI and advanced digital technology capabilities across GSK’s existing five manufacturing sites in four states (Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Montana).

• New drug substance manufacturing capabilities.

• New and enhanced device and auto-injector capabilities and assembly.

The $30 billion investment in the U.S. includes capital investments across GSK’s U.S. supply chain. It also includes increased investment in R&D drug discovery and development and clinical trial activity.

Walmsley said GSK’s commitment to invest at least $30 billion in the U.S. over the next five years further bolsters the strong R&D and supply chain the company has in the country.

The $1.2 billion, added Walmsley, “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.”