More pharma companies are announcing plans to invest in US manufacturing.

GSK announced that it will spend $30 billion in R&D and manufacturing at US locations in the coming years.¹ The announcement is the latest in a string of US-based investments for the pharma industry. President Trump has previously announced plans to tariff pharmaceuticals in an attempt to push pharma companies to rely less on importing goods to the US and build up domestic manufacturing capabilities.

How will GSK allocate its investments in the US?

GSK’s plans will see the money spent across a variety of areas at US locations, including a $1.2 billion investment in what it refers to as “advanced manufacturing facilities” and AI/digital technologies.

In a press release, GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said, “Alongside the many longstanding and vital shared interests that connect the U.K. and the United States, is advancing life sciences to get ahead of disease. This week’s State Visit brings together two countries that have led the world in science and healthcare innovation.We are proud to be part of both. Here in the U.K., we continue to invest in a significant manufacturing base and more than £1.5 billion in R&D every year. Today, we are committing to invest at least $30 billion in the United States over the next 5 years, further bolstering the already strong R&D and supply chain we have in the country. $1.2 billion of today’s announcement includes construction of an additional next-gen biologics ‘flex’ factory, powered by AI, advanced technologies and expert talent to produce transformational new respiratory and cancer medicines for American patients.”

The release continues to detail the specific details of the $1.2 billion investment, which will go towards:

• A new biologics flex factory in Upper Merrion, Pennsylvania
• New AI and digital technology capabilities across five existing sites
• New drug substance manufacturing capabilities
• New device and auto-injector capabilities and assembly

According to a report from BBC,² GSK timed the announcement to coincide with President Trump’s visit to the UK. The report also states that GSK has plans to make investments into its UK R&D capabilities as well.

Despite that pledge, the news comes at an awkward moment for the UK pharma industry. As multiple companies announce plans to invest in US manufacturing, R&D, and other infrastructure elements, there has also been a string of announcements about pulling back on UK-based investments.

As Pharmaceutical Executive previously reported, both Merck and Astra Zeneca have previously announced plans to reduce or cancel investments in UK-based projects. For Astra Zeneca, this meant the pausing of a $271 million investment in a research site in Cambridge, while Merck has abandoned plans to develop a new research facility in Kings Cross London.

While many of the recent announcements have cited President Trump’s drive to boost US-based R&D and manufacturing, the UK pharma market has been seeing a decline prior to the President taking office. Research shows that there has been a drop in the UK’s investment in medicines from 15% of the NHS budget to just 9% over the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, in the US, Eli Lilly recently announced plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing plan in Virginia. According to reports, Lilly still has plans to announce an additional three US sites by the end of the year. The company also states that it will be able to start producing medication at these sites within five years.

Sources

1. GSK to invest $30 billion in R&D and Manufacturing in the United States over next 5 years. GSK. September 17, 2025. https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-to-invest-30-billion-in-rd-and-manufacturing-in-the-united-states-over-next-5-years/
2. GSK pledges $30bn US investment as UK's pharma woes deepen. BBC. September 17, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g58x3441ko