AbbVie has announced a major $1.4 billion investment to establish a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Durham, marking a significant expansion of its U.S. production capabilities. The 185-acre site, located near Research Triangle Park, will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies with artificial intelligence to support the company’s growing pipeline in immunology, neuroscience, and oncology.
The project represents AbbVie’s first large-scale investment in North Carolina and stands as the company’s largest capital commitment to date. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion expected by the end of 2028. Once operational, the facility will serve as AbbVie’s U.S. center of excellence for small volume parenteral (SVP) drug manufacturing—sterile injectable medicines typically delivered in vials, prefilled syringes, or cartridges.
According to Robert A. Michael, chairman and chief executive officer of AbbVie, the new campus will play a critical role in advancing future medical innovations while strengthening the company’s manufacturing footprint. He emphasized that the investment not only supports scientific progress but also fosters long-term collaboration with local communities and state leadership.
The development is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region. AbbVie plans to create 734 permanent jobs over the next four years, including roles for engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators, and laboratory technicians. In addition, more than 2,000 construction jobs are anticipated during the building phase, providing a substantial boost to the local economy.
The first phase of the campus will include cutting-edge drug product manufacturing facilities, next-generation laboratories, warehousing infrastructure, administrative offices, and employee wellness centers. The site has also been designed with future expansion in mind, allowing AbbVie to scale operations as its pipeline continues to grow.
This initiative is part of AbbVie’s broader commitment to invest $100 billion in U.S. research, development, and manufacturing over the next decade. Over the past year alone, the company has pledged more than $2.2 billion toward domestic manufacturing projects and the creation of over 1,300 jobs across multiple states.
State officials have welcomed the investment, highlighting North Carolina’s strong life sciences ecosystem and skilled workforce as key factors in attracting the project. Josh Stein noted that the state’s reputation as a hub for research and innovation continues to make it an attractive destination for leading biopharmaceutical companies.
AbbVie currently employs approximately 29,000 people across the United States, with operations spanning all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The addition of the Durham campus is expected to further enhance the company’s ability to deliver next-generation therapies to patients both domestically and globally, reinforcing its position as a major player in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.