AstraZeneca unveiled plans to invest $50 billion in U.S. research and manufacturing by 2030, marking one of the most substantial commitments by a global pharmaceutical player as Washington intensifies pressure on the industry to localize production.
The announcement, made Monday in Washington, comes as President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and calls to onshore drug production loom over the sector.
The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker detailed a sweeping capital outlay, earmarking funds for a major manufacturing plant in Virginia—its largest to date—as well as expanded cell therapy and research operations across Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas. The expansion extends to reinforcing AstraZeneca’s U.S. clinical trial supply network and supporting development of next-generation drugs.
CEO Pascal Soriot described the move as critical to achieving AstraZeneca’s goal of reaching $80 billion in annual sales by 2030—with half of that targeted to come from the U.S., which already comprised more than 40% of its revenue in 2024.
The United States cannot continue to shoulder the world’s R&D costs, Soriot told reporters, arguing for international price harmonization to ensure other markets contribute more toward innovation.
The fresh pledge comes atop $3.5 billion committed last November and rivals a similar $50 billion investment by Roche announced in April. Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Sanofi have also revealed new spending plans this year, as the industry braces for changes in U.S. trade policy.
AstraZeneca’s latest initiative reflects strategic urgency as Trump’s administration considers tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and presses for the repatriation of drug manufacturing. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick cited the country’s “structural weakness” of relying on foreign medical supply, underscoring that the new policy direction is aimed at fortifying supply chains.
While Trump has stated drugmakers will be granted a transition period of up to 18 months before any tariffs take effect, the prospect is already accelerating investment decisions.
AstraZeneca’s Virginia site will supply active ingredients for weight-loss and cholesterol drugs, including its anticipated oral GLP-1 and PCSK9 inhibitor candidates.
