Key Takeaways
- UCB is investing $5 billion in a new US biologics manufacturing facility, aiming to boost its production capabilities, create 800 jobs, and strengthen its global supply chain.
- The company’s US expansion reflects a broader industry trend, with major biopharma firms like Regeneron, Roche, Merck, and Thermo Fisher also reshoring operations to enhance resilience and economic impact.
- Tariff uncertainty and supply chain complexity are key drivers for reshoring, as companies aim to reduce risk and gain more control over their US-based manufacturing infrastructure.
UCB, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in central nervous system disorders and immunology, is investing $5 billion into a new, state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing plant in the United States.1 Alongside the investment, UCB will also be expanding its collaborations with US contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to support the production of its key growth drivers and future pipeline.
UCB’s long-term commitment to scientific innovation and US growth
The company's initiatives in the United States reflect its commitment to delivering scientific innovation, driving economic impact, and promoting sustainable healthcare value. In fact, since 2017, its US workforce has grown by 73% to around 2,000 employees, highlighted by $4.5 billion in acquisitions and capital investments that have gone toward further innovative efforts, including infrastructure improvements.1
Creating jobs and building a resilient US biomanufacturing supply chain
The new facility—in a location yet to be named—will not only create around 300 permanent, highly skilled jobs in the biologics manufacturing space, but an additional 500 during the construction process. By boosting its global manufacturing capacity, this effort supports it vested interest in powering resilient, sustainable supply chains.
“At UCB, we are guided by a clear purpose—to create value for patients now and into the future,” said Jean-Christophe Tellier, UCB’s CEO. “This investment reflects our growing impact in the US and our ambition to bring our forthcoming pipeline to patients around the world. By expanding our biologics manufacturing footprint, we’re not only reinforcing our global supply chain—we’re also contributing to the vitality of biomedical innovation, high-skilled jobs, and long-term economic impact in the US.”
Biopharma companies double down on US manufacturing
Meanwhile, across the industry, a multitude of companies—such as Regeneron, Roche, Merck, and Thermo Fisher2—have also been making major investments in expanding US manufacturing of their own. This respectfully includes a combined $53 billion by Regeneron and Roche improve their manufacturing and R&D infrastructure, $1 billion by Merck, and $2 billion by Thermo Fisher.3
The benefits of reshoring production to the United States have been two-fold. Not only do these companies help to stimulate the US economy, but they also avoid paying high tariffs on materials. Though many might argue that this is worthwhile, such a process can take years if the proper infrastructure is not already put in place.
Pharma Commerce sat down Brad Stewart, BDO’s national life sciences co-leader, to discuss these exact challenges that tariffs may pose to reshoring manufacturing services in the life sciences industry, while digging into the strategies that pharma leaders can use in order to start shoring up their supply chains.4 He highlighted the complexity of supply chains in this sector, which are large, long, highly-regulated, and slow to change. Given that future administrations may alter tariff policies, reshoring decisions need to account for the potential reversal of these changes. While it can come a high price, prioritizing US-based manufacturing capacity can help de-risk supply chains, particularly as tariffs and uncertainty continue to affect global operations.
“The easiest point for most life sciences companies now may be just to minimize risks like that,” Steward explained. “If I can move some of that capacity back in the United States, look to do more of the work here so that I'm not worried about what the taxes or tariffs or anything else may be going forward, those are just things that allow me to focus on my core business of making products to help save people's lives. I think the other thing ... is that it’s a much more expensive thing to do, but I certainly think it makes sense if anyone's planning on building new capacity to very seriously consider doing that in the United States.”
References
1. UCB Announces Major U.S. Investment to Expand Biologics Manufacturing Capacity. UCB. June 12, 2025. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.ucb-usa.com/stories-media/UCB-U-S-News/detail/article/ucb-announces-major-us-investment-expand-biologics
2. Saraceno N. The Tariff Effect: Greater Supply Chain Prepares for Repercussions. Pharmaceutical Commerce. June 4, 2025. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/tariff-effect-greater-supply-chain-repercussions
3. Tracy D. The Tariff Effect: Greater Supply Chain Prepares for Repercussions. Pharmaceutical Executive. May 5, 2025. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/merck-begins-construction-1-billion-biologics-manufacturing-hub
4. Saraceno N. The Case for Reshoring Manufacturing to the United States. Pharmaceutical Commerce. March 10, 2025. Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/reshoring-manufacturing-united-states
