AstraZeneca plans to invest $50 billion in the US by 2030 to expand drug manufacturing and R&D, including a new facility in Virginia and upgrades across Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas. The move comes amid renewed pressure from President Donald Trump's administration to localise pharmaceutical production and reduce reliance on imports. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker said the expansion aligns with its goal to reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030, with half expected from the US, which accounted for over 40 per cent of its sales in 2024. CEO Pascal Soriot, speaking in Washington, defended the need for drug price reform, saying the US should not bear the full cost of global R&D. The investment includes scaling up AstraZeneca's clinical trial supply network and supporting the development of new medicines, particularly weight-loss and cholesterol treatments. The Virginia site will be the company's largest single manufacturing investment. The announcement coincides with an ongoing US Commerce Department probe into pharmaceutical imports, which could lead to new tariffs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the initiative aims to fix the nation's dependence on foreign drug supply. AstraZeneca's pledge matches Roche's $50 billion commitment and follows recent US investments by Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Sanofi. The company said its plans may generate tens of thousands of jobs but did not provide figures. It currently employs around 18,000 people in the US. Attribution: Reuters Subediting: M. S. Salama
