Novartis to spend $771 million on North Carolina pharma plant expansion

Novartis, a pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, announced November 19 it would spend $771 million in building up its North Carolina operations by upgrading an existing site and building three new factories. The latest announcement is part of Novartis’ stated aim to spend $23 billion in expanded U.S. operations through 2030.

The latest announcement includes plans for an expanded factory in Durham and new buildings in Durham and Morrisville. The existing site in Durham will receive upgrades to support sterile syringe and vial filling, two new Durham factories will produce biologics and sterile packaging, and a new factory in Morrisville will produce solid medicine tablets and packaging.

The Swiss company says it aims for its current push in the U.S. to enable it to produce all of its medicines entirely in the U.S. As of November 19, the company says it is “on track” to do so thanks to cell and gene therapy manufacturing in New Jersey and North Carolina; radioligand therapies made in New Jersey, Indiana, California and future factories planned for Florida and Texas; and xRNA therapies to be build in an as-yet-unnamed state.

What people are saying

“This announcement is a commitment to American innovation and to the patients we serve,” said Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan. “By building a full, end-to-end manufacturing presence in North Carolina for our broader portfolio, we are expanding our capacity to deliver medical breakthroughs, securing a more resilient US supply chain, and investing in the local communities that make our mission possible.” 

“North Carolina continues to lead in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, and Novartis’ expansion in the Triangle reflects our state’s talent and innovative spirit,” said North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein. “This investment will strengthen our state’s economy and ensure life-saving medicines continue to be made right in North Carolina.”

“Novartis’ decision to expand in North Carolina is a testament to our skilled workforce, established life sciences hub, and strong business environment,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Their continued investment reinforces our state’s position as the top state for business.”

Manufacturers investing in North Carolina

BorgWarner auto OEM to build new $75 million North Carolina plant
The auto parts manufacturer will create 193 new jobs at the plant, the governor’s office said.

Fujifilm Biotech opens new $3.2 billion factory in North Carolina
The site could employ as many as 1,400 by the 2030s.

Eco King Solutions invests $80.5M to open biodegradable tableware manufacturing facility in North Carolina
The new production facility will be the company’s first in North America and will create more than 500 jobs in Graham County.