AstraZeneca Announces $2 Billion Manufacturing Investment in Maryland

AstraZeneca has unveiled plans for a substantial $2 billion investment to expand its manufacturing operations in Maryland. This initiative includes a major expansion of its biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and the construction of a new state-of-the-art site in Gaithersburg. This expansion aims to boost the production of medicines for cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions, while also supporting 2,600 jobs across both locations, including the creation of 300 highly skilled positions.

The Frederick facility is currently engaged in the production of biologics, utilized for various treatments within AstraZeneca's portfolio, including those for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The planned expansion is set to nearly double the current manufacturing capacity, allowing for an increased supply of existing medicines and, for the first time, the production of medicines from the company’s rare disease portfolio. This will generate 200 highly skilled jobs and 900 construction roles, with operations expected to commence in 2029.

Simultaneously, AstraZeneca is set to establish a new clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg, which will be fully operational by 2029. This facility will create an additional 100 jobs, retain 400 existing roles, and support around 1,000 construction-related jobs.

Both the Frederick and Gaithersburg locations will utilize advanced AI, automation, and data analytics technologies while adhering to the highest environmental standards. Maryland Governor, Wes Moore, remarked, “AstraZeneca's commitment to Maryland speaks to our unique, world-class biotech ecosystem. This landmark investment affirms our reputation as a global leader in life sciences, while strengthening the U.S. medicine supply chain, accelerating the development of life-saving therapies, 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, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, stated: “Today marks a landmark moment for Maryland and American patients. As the state’s largest biopharmaceutical employer, 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 US medicines supply chain and accelerates access to transformative therapies for patients across America and around the world.”

This announcement is part of AstraZeneca’s broader $50 billion investment plan, which was revealed in July and includes various commitments made over the past six months. These commitments feature the launch of a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, a drug substance manufacturing facility in Virginia, and the expansion of an existing facility in Coppell, Texas.

As AstraZeneca's largest market by sales, the U.S. also hosts 19 R&D, manufacturing, and commercial sites, employing over 25,000 people and supporting more than 100,000 jobs nationwide. In 2025, the company generated approximately $20 billion in overall value for the American economy.