AstraZeneca intends to financially commit $2 billion toward growing its production services in Maryland.¹

As part of the massive investment, its biologics manufacturing plant in Frederick will be expanding; further, a new facility in Gaithersburg dedicated to the development and the clinical supply of molecules for clinical trials is also expected to break ground, with both slated to be operational by 2029.

Doubling biologics manufacturing capacity in Frederick

As it stands, AstraZeneca’s Frederick location currently manufactures biologics, and as a result of the expansion project, is anticipated to nearly double commercial manufacturing capabilities. This uptick in production not only raises the current med supply, but boosts manufacturing efforts across the Big Pharma company’s rare disease portfolio. This will result in the opening of 200 highly skilled jobs, along with 900 construction positions.

New Gaithersburg facility to advance clinical-stage molecules

Meanwhile, concerning its Gaithersburg clinical manufacturing plant, it will be creating jobs 100 highly-skilled jobs of its own, and 1,000 on the construction front. Four hundred other roles will also be preserved.

The upgraded Frederick facility and the new Gaithersburg site will integrate state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, which will be built to what the company is describing as “the industry’s highest environmental standards.”

“Today marks a landmark moment for Maryland and American patients,” said Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s CEO. “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.”

Maryland’s governor, Wes More, also emphasized the significance of AstraZeneca’s investment for the state’s biotech future.

“AstraZeneca's commitment to Maryland speaks to our unique, world-class biotech ecosystem,” he pointed out. “This landmark investment affirms our reputation as a global leader in life sciences, while strengthening the US 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.”

Part of AstraZeneca’s larger $50 billion global investment strategy

The latest AstraZeneca represents merely one component of its $50 billion investment that it revealed over the summer. The company has announced various moves as of late, including its augmented, modernized production facility in Coppell, TX.² This $445 million expansion is expected to double the manufacturing efforts of Lokelma—sodium zirconium cyclosilicate that’s used to treat hyperkalemia, high potassium levels in the blood.

The Coppell plant is the only manufacturing facility that produces Lokelma worldwide, shipping the drug to more than 50 countries. The current facility houses 250 employees, and via the growth project, the structure will be increasing 9,000 square feet. It’ll welcome two manufacturing lines that will provide drug substance and drug product laboratory testing, along with warehousing, additional manufacturing utilities and administrative space.

“Our manufacturing facility in Coppell serves as both a critical pillar in global healthcare and has played an important role in supporting the local workforce over the past 10 years,” said Jim Fox, senior vice president of Americas supply operations at AstraZeneca. “The expansion underscores our commitment to patients and support for Texas’ long-term vision for scientific growth and innovation.”

These developments reflect a broader trend across Big Pharma and other manufacturers to bring production back to the United States, driven in part by efforts to avoid tariffs on branded or patented pharmaceutical products.

References

1. AstraZeneca Plans $2 Billion Manufacturing Investment in Maryland, Supporting 2,600 Jobs and Catalyzing Economic Growth. AstraZeneca. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/astrazeneca-plans-dollar2-billion-manufacturing-investment-in-maryland-supporting-2600-jobs-and-catalysing-economic-growth.html

2. Saraceno N. AstraZeneca Expands Texas Manufacturing Facility to Double Production of Hyperkalemia Drug. Pharmaceutical Commerce. October 16, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/astrazeneca-expands-texas-manufacturing-facility-double-production-hyperkalemia-drug