WILMINGTON, DE — AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $4.5 billion in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Albemarle County, Virginia, expanding its previously announced U.S. commitment by $500 million. The project will support production of a broader range of medicines—including weight management, metabolic, and cancer treatments—and is expected to generate approximately 3,600 direct and indirect jobs.
The facility, to be located at Rivanna Futures near Charlottesville, represents a cornerstone of AstraZeneca’s historic $50 billion investment in U.S. research, development, and manufacturing. It will employ 600 highly skilled professionals, including engineers, scientists, and process facilitators, with an additional 3,000 jobs tied to construction and support activities.
Designed to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, the site will serve as a center for next-generation biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It will produce drug substances for AstraZeneca’s weight management and metabolic portfolio—including oral GLP-1, baxdrostat, and oral PCSK9 therapies—along with the company’s growing line of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments. Construction will begin immediately, with operations expected to commence within four to five years.
“With our $4.5 billion investment in Virginia, the largest in AstraZeneca’s history, we are not only building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, but also driving life sciences innovation and economic growth,” said Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca. “This new facility will create thousands of jobs and strengthen America’s national security and health sovereignty.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the investment as a major step forward for both the state’s economy and domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. “AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment is the largest in the company’s history and a game-changer for American drug manufacturing,” Youngkin said. “The investment is set to create 3,600 jobs in Virginia, strengthening America’s ability to produce life-saving medicines.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also highlighted the project’s alignment with the federal government’s push to reshore pharmaceutical production. “Today’s groundbreaking demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to onshoring drug manufacturing and strengthening supply chains to improve Americans’ access to medication,” Oz said.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Albemarle County, and the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission collaborated to secure the project, which state officials expect to further solidify Virginia’s role as a national hub for biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
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