Pharmaceutical Corporation Breaks Ground on Flagship US Production Center in North Carolina
Significant Investment Pledges End-to-End Domestic Manufacturing of Key Medicines for US Market
EAST HANOVER, December 12, 2025 – The global pharmaceutical corporation Novartis has commenced construction on its major strategic manufacturing center in North Carolina, moving rapidly to execute its recently announced investment. The facility, spanning over 700,000 square feet, is a vital component of the company’s planned $23 billion capital expenditure on infrastructure within the United States over the next five years.
The North Carolina project will involve building a new plant in Morrisville, establishing two new facilities within a site in Durham, and expanding an existing Novartis facility, also in Durham. This development is projected to create 700 new direct jobs in the state by 2030 and support over 3,000 indirect positions across the company’s US supply chain.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key officials, including North Carolina Governor, Josh Stein, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Marty Makary. Company leadership stated that the new center is crucial to achieving the goal of manufacturing all essential medications for US patients domestically, thereby reinforcing the supply chain.
Governor Stein highlighted that the decision to deepen roots in North Carolina validates the state’s strength in advanced life sciences and will bring in more high-quality jobs. Commissioner Makary welcomed the investment as a strong step toward making drugs for Americans in America, aligning with national security priorities. The manufacturing hub is anticipated to be fully operational between 2027 and 2028.
Significant Investment Milestones in 2025
The North Carolina groundbreaking is part of a year marked by significant expansion for Novartis in the US. Key milestones include:
-
Regulatory Approvals: The company secured five FDA approvals across oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and renal areas, underscoring its commitment to delivering new therapeutic innovations to US patients.
-
R&D Expansion: Plans were announced for a new $1.1 billion biomedical research hub in San Diego, CA, complementing the company’s existing research center in Cambridge, MA.
-
Radioligand Therapy (RLT) Manufacturing: The corporation opened a new RLT manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, CA, invested in expanding current facilities in Indiana and New Jersey, and announced plans for new plants in Florida and Texas.
-
End-to-End Production: With the flagship hub in North Carolina, the company is on track to achieve full domestic manufacturing of all its key medicines for US patients.
The U.S. remains a priority market, and the company is committed to continued growth through investments in both manufacturing and R&D to accelerate the delivery of breakthrough treatments with broad access, while simultaneously creating American jobs and supporting the US economy.
