Belgian pharmaceutical giant UCB has unveiled new plans for a $2 billion investment in a new production facility in the United States, the company announced in a press release. The new plans will see increasing production on U.S. soil against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s threat of tariffs on European producers.
Over the next six to seven years, the company will invest in the construction of the new plant, which is expected to create 300 jobs. The exact site of the pharmaceutical plant has not yet been determined, but the Belgian company already operates its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Belgian biopharmaceutical company has been expanding its presence in the American market for several years, with its U.S. workforce increasing by over 70% since 2017, reaching approximately 2,000 workers. The Belgian company has invested around $4.5 billion in the U.S. market and received approval to market 15 medical products in the country.
“This investment reflects our growing impact in the US and our ambition to bring our forthcoming pipeline to patients across the world,” said UCB CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier. “By expanding our biologics manufacturing footprint, we’re not only reinforcing our global supply chain—we’re also contributing to the vitality of biomedical innovation, high-skilled jobs, and long-term economic impact in the US.”
Getting ahead of tariffs
Two workers pictured at a production site in UCB's Biomanufacturing Operations Center in Braine l'Alleud on Friday 26 April 2024. Credit: Belga/ Laurie Dieffembacq
In a comment to Belgian newspaper De Tijd, a company spokesperson explained that the Brussels-based pharmaceutical company had long been eyeing further investments into the American market, but that its plans had been accelerated due to the current geopolitical climate.
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In recent months, numerous major European pharmaceutical companies, such as Novartis and Roche, have announced investments in the U.S. and stated their intention to invest in creating medicines for the U.S. market. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to levy tariffs on European goods to localise production and boost the American economy.
Currently, UCB manufactures around 65% of its medicines through third-party contractors, but intends to boost its internal production capacities. UCB currently produces medicines at its production site in Bulle, Switzerland and recently opened a new production and research facility in Eignebrakel, in Wallonia. The company also previously manufactured in the U.S., but declined to provide details.
One of UCB’s most widely used medicinal products is Cimzia, a medicine used to treat conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of rheumatism. The company employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide and generates sales of around €5 billion. This year, the company predicts a revenue of up to €6.7 billion, with a profit margin of 30%.
