AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $2 billion to significantly expand its manufacturing presence in Maryland, marking one of the company’s largest U.S. investments to date. The initiative includes a major expansion of its flagship biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and the construction of a new state-of-the-art development and clinical supply center in Gaithersburg. Together, the projects are expected to support 2,600 jobs across the state through retained roles, new hiring, and extensive construction activity.
The Frederick site, which currently produces biologics used across AstraZeneca’s portfolio of cancer, autoimmune, respiratory, and rare disease treatments, will undergo a substantial upgrade that nearly doubles its commercial manufacturing capacity. The expanded capability will allow the company not only to increase supply of existing therapies but also to manufacture products from AstraZeneca’s rare disease portfolio domestically for the first time. The project is expected to create 200 highly skilled full-time jobs as well as approximately 900 construction-related positions. The enhanced facility is scheduled to be operational by 2029.
Simultaneously, AstraZeneca plans to deepen its footprint in Gaithersburg with a new clinical manufacturing facility dedicated to the development and supply of innovative molecules for clinical trials. The site will be fully operational in 2029 and will add 100 new jobs, while retaining 400 existing positions and supporting another 1,000 construction jobs. The two facilities combined represent a substantial boost to Maryland’s life sciences infrastructure.
Both the Frederick expansion and the new Gaithersburg facility will incorporate advanced technologies, including cutting-edge artificial intelligence, automation systems, and data analytics. AstraZeneca noted that each site will be built to the highest sustainability and environmental standards, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to green manufacturing.
The announcement was welcomed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who highlighted the state’s growing prominence in the global biotechnology sector. “AstraZeneca’s commitment to Maryland speaks to our unique, world-class biotech ecosystem,” Moore said. “This landmark investment affirms our reputation as a global leader in life sciences, while strengthening the U.S. medicine supply chain and creating hundreds of jobs. We are proud to partner with AstraZeneca to grow our economy and build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all.”
Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the broader national impact of the investment. “Today marks a landmark moment for Maryland and American patients,” Soriot said. “We are deepening our long-standing commitment to Maryland—supporting 2,600 jobs, catalyzing economic growth and bringing our extensive rare disease portfolio onshore for the first time. This investment strengthens the resilience of the U.S. medicines supply chain and accelerates access to transformative therapies for patients across America and around the world.”
This move forms part of AstraZeneca’s larger $50 billion global investment initiative announced in July. It follows several recent U.S. commitments, including a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, a drug substance plant in Virginia, and an expansion of the company’s facility in Coppell, Texas.
The United States remains AstraZeneca’s largest market, home to 19 research, development, manufacturing, and commercial sites. The company employs more than 25,000 people in the country and indirectly supports over 100,000 jobs nationwide. In 2025 alone, AstraZeneca contributed around $20 billion in overall economic value to the American economy.