GSK invests $30 billion in U.S. research and manufacturing expansion
British drugmaker GSK announced Wednesday that it will invest $30 billion in U.S. research, development, and supply chain infrastructure over the next five years, marking one of the company’s largest commitments to date. The move coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s second state visit to Britain, aimed at strengthening cross-Atlantic investment ties.
New Facilities and Pennsylvania Factory
As part of the investment, GSK will allocate $1.2 billion toward building a new factory in Pennsylvania, set to begin construction in 2026. The site will focus on producing innovative medicines for respiratory diseases and cancer.
The broader funding package will also support AI adoption, digital technology upgrades, drug substance manufacturing, and device assembly improvements across GSK’s five existing U.S. sites.
GSK said the initiative is designed to “bridge R&D and manufacturing across both the U.S. and UK, strengthening the two countries’ leadership in life sciences.” The U.S. accounted for half of GSK’s revenue in 2024, making it a crucial market for future growth.
Political and Economic Context
The announcement comes as the Trump administration pushes for more domestic pharmaceutical production and threatens to impose import tariffs on the drug industry—a sector historically shielded from trade disputes.
“This landmark investment will create tens of thousands of American jobs and ensure that critical medicines and technologies are developed and manufactured right here on U.S. soil—where they belong,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a statement shared by GSK.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the decision, calling it “a powerful example of how UK-U.S. collaboration is driving real-world impact—improving people’s health, creating opportunity, and turbocharging growth.”
Clinical Trials and R&D Expansion
GSK emphasized that the funding will significantly expand its clinical trial activity in the U.S., positioning the country as its leading hub for studies, trial sites, and participant recruitment over the next five years.
The company did not specify whether the $30 billion includes previously earmarked U.S. spending. Industry analysts noted that some pharma firms have historically bundled ongoing projects into larger headline figures when announcing major U.S. investments.
Competitive Landscape
The announcement underscores a growing shift among global pharmaceutical companies toward scaling up U.S. operations. Rival drugmakers such as AstraZeneca and Merck & Co have recently reduced or paused UK investments, citing regulatory and economic challenges.
GSK said it has already committed about $2 billion to U.S. manufacturing over the past year, adding hundreds of skilled roles and construction jobs to its 15,000-strong American workforce.
