Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced a transformative new investment that places Virginia at the forefront of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States. Global biopharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca will invest $4.5 billion to establish two cutting-edge manufacturing facilities in Albemarle County, marking the largest single manufacturing investment in the company’s history.
The project includes one facility focused on producing drug substances for chronic diseases and another dedicated to antibody-drug conjugates for oncology therapies. Together, the two facilities will create 600 highly skilled jobs, including positions for engineers, scientists, and process facilitators. In addition, 3,000 indirect jobs are expected to be generated as a result of the expansion. “AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment is the largest single manufacturing investment in the company’s history and a game-changer for American drug manufacturing,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The investment is set to create 600 high-paying jobs in Albemarle County, strengthening America’s ability to produce lifesaving medicines right here in Virginia.”
Governor Youngkin also praised the speed of the partnership, noting, “It took just 33 days from our first conversation to partnering on this project – that’s moving at Virginia speed.”
Facilities Will Support Innovation in Chronic Disease and Cancer Treatment
Upon completion, the new facilities will manufacture small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides for innovative weight management and metabolic treatments such as oral GLP-1, baxdrostat, oral PCSK9, and other small molecule products. The second facility will support AstraZeneca’s antibody-drug conjugate cancer pipeline, expanding capabilities in advanced oncology therapies. “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 CEO Pascal Soriot. “This new facility will create thousands of jobs and strengthen America’s national security and health sovereignty.”
A Major Win for Virginia’s Economy and Workforce
AstraZeneca’s new operations will be located at the Rivanna Futures Site in northern Albemarle County, a location previously awarded a $9.7 million grant through the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. The project was secured through collaboration among the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Albemarle County, and the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission…