US-based pharmaceutical firm Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is set to commence construction on a 500,000ft2 biologics manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, US.
The new facility, a part of the company’s $55bn investment in the US, aims to strengthen its capacity to produce medicines for cancer, immune-mediated, and neurological diseases.
It will employ over 500 specialised personnel, including process technicians, laboratory analysts, engineers, and microbiologists.
The annual payroll impact is projected to be approximately $45m for the region.
In addition, the construction phase is expected to generate around 5,000 jobs, contributing to an estimated $3bn economic impact in North Carolina over the first decade of operation.
The company plans to enhance local education in Wilson by collaborating with the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Wilson County Schools.
Also, it will support the BioWork certificate programme in partnership with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Wilson Community College.
Johnson & Johnson executive vice president, and innovative medicine worldwide chairman Jennifer Taubert said: “We are pleased to make this significant investment in our manufacturing network in the US.
“This state-of-the-art biologics facility in North Carolina will help Johnson & Johnson to accelerate the delivery of our portfolio and pipeline of transformational medicines for patients.
“This $2bn investment will bring more than 5,000 high-wage manufacturing and construction jobs to North Carolina and the partnerships we are forging in the community will support local educational initiatives to develop the workforce of the future.”
J&J said its expanded $55bn investment over the next four years marks a 25% increase compared to the previous period.
The initiative builds on the company’s 140-year manufacturing legacy in the US, where it already employs a substantial workforce in Innovative Medicine and MedTech roles.
The investment is partly fuelled by the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.
The investment plan includes three new advanced manufacturing facilities and the expansion of existing sites within J&J’s Innovative Medicine and MedTech businesses.
Significant investments in research and development infrastructure will focus on oncology, neuroscience, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and robotic surgery.
The increased investment in technology will also enhance drug discovery, workforce training, and business operations.
J&J’s expanded investment is expected to amplify its economic impact in the US, which currently exceeds $100bn annually.
Johnson & Johnson innovative medicine supply chain vice president Dapo Ajayi said: “This is a major investment and an exciting time as we start construction on this advanced manufacturing facility, using the latest technology and building a highly skilled workforce to deliver on our promise to patients.”
Johnson & Johnson chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato said: “Today’s announcements accelerate our nearly 140-year legacy as an American innovation engine tackling the world’s toughest healthcare challenges.
“Our increased US investment begins with the ground-breaking of a high-tech facility in North Carolina that will not only add US-based jobs but manufacture cutting-edge medicines to treat patients in America and around the world.”
