Dive Brief:
- AbbVie announced it will spend $380 million to build two new U.S. facilities at its existing campus in North Chicago, Illinois that will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies with artificial intelligence to produce next-generation neuroscience and obesity drugs.
- Construction will begin in spring of 2026, with the plants scheduled to be fully operational in 2029, the company said in a news release.
- To support the facilities, AbbVie plans to hire 300 people, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators and lab technicians.
Dive Insight:
AbbVie said the investment is part of its $100 billion commitment to making U.S.-based research and development and capital investments, including for manufacturing, over the next decade.
"By strengthening our U.S. manufacturing capabilities, we are well positioned to support our investment in innovation and enhance our ability to deliver next-generation medicines to patients,” Chairman and CEO Robert Michael said in a statement.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing involves producing the active components responsible for a medication's therapeutic effects, according to AbbVie. Over the past six months, the company has announced plans to significantly expand its API manufacturing capabilities and capacity in the United States.
For example, in September 2025, it broke ground on a $195 million chemical synthesis API manufacturing facility in North Chicago. That facility will enable API production for select neuroscience, immunology and oncology products to return from Europe and Asia to the U.S., AbbVie said.
In addition, the company said it will acquire a device manufacturing facility in Arizona and make significant investments in its manufacturing facility in Massachusetts. AbbVie also said it is discussing potential manufacturing investments with other states and anticipates reaching more deals in 2026.
AbbVie’s facility announcements come as several other pharmaceutical firms are making major investments to secure their U.S. footholds.
For example, Johnson & Johnson announced in January that it will establish two U.S. manufacturing facilities as part of a larger $55 billion commitment to support domestic production over the next four years. Moreover, in June, U.K.-based AstraZeneca announced it will allocate $50 billion to U.S. manufacturing and research and development.
