AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest USD 50 billion in the USA by 2030 to significantly scale up its drug manufacturing and research capabilities. The investment includes a new manufacturing facility in Virginia and expanded R&D and cell therapy operations in Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas.

This move aligns with growing pressure from President Donald Trump's administration to boost domestic pharmaceutical production. Trump has urged pharma companies to manufacture more within the USA, reduce import dependence, and address pricing disparities.

The Virginia facility will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for AstraZeneca’s pipeline weight-loss and cholesterol drugs, including oral GLP-1 and PCSK9 inhibitors. The company estimates this expansion will generate tens of thousands of new jobs, though specific figures remain undisclosed.

CEO Pascal Soriot, speaking in Washington, said the USA should not shoulder the global burden of drug innovation and called for more balanced pricing across international markets.

While some infrastructure investment was already planned, AstraZeneca acknowledged that the policy climate in the USA influenced the timing of the announcement. The company’s commitment mirrors Roche’s similar USD 50 billion pledge and follows investment boosts by Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Sanofi.

AstraZeneca currently employs around 18,000 people in the USA, part of its global workforce of 90,000. Earlier this year, it cancelled a planned UK investment due to reduced government support. The company is also reportedly considering moving its stock market listing from London to the USA, though it has not confirmed this publicly.