Why Samsung, Amgen, and Biocon are investing in US pharma facilities
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As global trade tensions mount and tariff policy becomes less predictable, international pharmaceutical giants are turning their attention to the US as a manufacturing hub. What was once a region primarily associated with high R&D costs and complex regulatory requirements is now being viewed as a strategic hedge against geopolitical risk and supply chain volatility.
Samsung Biologics, Amgen, and Biocon, three major players with distinct business models, are making significant investments in US infrastructure. The shift marks more than just a financial commitment. It reflects a transformation in how pharmaceutical companies assess risk, resilience, and regional strategy in a post-pandemic, tariff-sensitive world.
Samsung Biologics expands US ties through billion-dollar contracts
Samsung Biologics, the South Korea–based contract development and manufacturing organization, has secured a new contract worth approximately $1.3 billion with an undisclosed US pharmaceutical partner. The deal, which extends through the end of 2029, is one of several recent moves aimed at reinforcing Samsung’s footprint in North American pharmaceutical supply chains.
This follows a $514 million deal signed earlier in 2025 and a $1.2 billion contract with an Asian pharmaceutical company in late 2024. While the company’s manufacturing facilities remain in South Korea, it operates a research lab in San Francisco and is considering further expansion in the US.
Samsung’s strategy is clear: offer advanced manufacturing capabilities while reducing client exposure to international supply chain risk. By deepening commercial ties with US-based firms, Samsung positions itself as a reliable partner at a time when onshore and nearshore capacity are rising in importance.
Amgen’s domestic R&D bet signals long-term US commitment
Biotech company Amgen is investing $600 million in a new science and innovation center at its global headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. The facility will house advanced research capabilities focused on accelerating drug development for complex diseases.
This move complements earlier investments, including a $900 million manufacturing expansion in Ohio and a $1 billion drug substance plant in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Together, these projects reflect a clear shift toward domestic scale and technical agility.
Amgen’s current US buildout not only reduces exposure to foreign policy shifts but also strengthens its ability to bring therapies to market faster by streamlining development. As regulatory scrutiny increases globally, centralized R&D within the US can also help simplify compliance and inspection.
Biocon’s first US plant reflects a generics shift toward local capacity
Indian generics manufacturer Biocon Generics has opened its first drug production facility in the US, located in Cranbury, New Jersey. Acquired from Eywa Pharma in 2023 and renovated with more than $30 million in upgrades, the facility is now equipped to produce 2 billion tablets annually. It will support Biocon’s expansion into the North American market, especially in high-volume generic formulations.
In tandem with the facility launch, Biocon has also established its North American headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company’s localized approach allows it to shorten lead times, reduce logistics costs, and respond more quickly to US demand.
For generics manufacturers, who operate on tighter margins, proximity to the end market is increasingly a competitive factor. Biocon’s move reflects a broader shift among non-US firms looking to gain regulatory speed and market credibility.
Although most pharmaceutical imports remain exempt from current US tariffs, industry leaders remain wary of future policy changes. Political discourse around reshoring essential industries, combined with concerns over global dependencies, has prompted reevaluation.
Trade policy volatility, whether tied to international conflict or shifts in presidential administrations, adds complexity to long-term capital planning. By investing in the US, companies gain insulation from this uncertainty, along with greater flexibility in how they serve both domestic and international markets.