GSK outlines $30 billion US push in R&D and manufacturing
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GSK’s new $30 billion investment across the United States marks one of the largest life sciences commitments by a single company in recent years. Spread over five years, the plan reflects GSK’s focus on expanding its R&D network, modernizing its supply chain, and advancing biologics manufacturing with new AI-driven technologies.
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for the US biopharma landscape, where manufacturing competitiveness and digital transformation are redefining how medicines reach patients. GSK’s strategy strengthens its position among the top pharmaceutical investors in North America, aligning with US policy priorities to bolster domestic drug production capacity.
At the core of this investment is a $1.2 billion initiative to upgrade and build manufacturing facilities that can accelerate new drug delivery. These efforts will create hundreds of high-skill positions and reinforce the US-UK life sciences corridor, as both countries aim to maintain leadership in global biomedical innovation.
Capacity buildout in Pennsylvania: advanced biologics for respiratory and cancer care
Pennsylvania stands at the center of GSK’s next phase of growth. A planned biologics “flex” factory at Upper Merion will focus on respiratory and oncology therapeutics, including COPD, asthma, and multiple tumor types. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, signaling a long-term commitment to the state’s biopharma cluster.
This project follows an $800 million expansion at GSK’s Marietta facility, which began in late 2024. The expansion will double the site’s footprint, enhance manufacturing capacity, and add more than 200 jobs. Together, these projects position Pennsylvania as one of GSK’s largest global manufacturing hubs.
Across the US, the company operates five major manufacturing sites across four states: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Montana. These locations will receive digital upgrades and infrastructure enhancements as part of the broader $30 billion plan.
Digital and AI integration: advancing next generation manufacturing
A major focus of GSK’s US investment lies in integrating artificial intelligence and advanced digital systems into production. The company is introducing automation, predictive analytics, and quality control platforms designed to accelerate R&D and improve manufacturing yield.
These systems will optimize biologics production by connecting research data with factory processes in real time. GSK’s adoption of AI follows a wider industry trend as pharmaceutical firms seek to cut development timelines, enhance precision in drug formulation, and reduce waste.
Industry analysts note that while AI’s role in drug discovery is still evolving, its value in process control and quality monitoring is clear. For GSK, this means higher throughput across multiple therapeutic categories, with the added benefit of stronger domestic supply resilience.
Clinical development and supply resilience: anchoring research in the US
Beyond manufacturing, GSK plans to expand its research footprint through increased clinical trial activity. Over the next five years, the company expects the US to lead globally in the number of studies, research sites, and trial participants. GSK’s US R&D base already supports a pipeline of respiratory, oncology, and infectious disease treatments that depend on biologics innovation.
These expansions also reinforce domestic supply chain security. New investments in drug substance manufacturing, device assembly, and auto-injector systems are expected to streamline production from lab to market. This integrated model, where discovery and manufacturing operate within the same geography, gives GSK greater control over both innovation and distribution.
GSK’s commitment will generate hundreds of specialized positions across engineering, biotechnology, and data science. The company’s existing 15,000-employee US workforce will serve as the foundation for this new phase, which prioritizes skill development and cross-border collaboration between US and UK R&D centers.
CEO Emma Walmsley emphasized the company’s dual commitment to both countries, noting that life sciences collaboration remains one of the most enduring and productive transatlantic partnerships. By combining British and American scientific capacity, GSK aims to speed up innovation cycles and enhance its competitive standing in global healthcare markets.
Sources:
GSK official press release