Belgian biopharmaceutical company UCB has announced plans to build a $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The company said that the site will produce complex biologics, serving as a hub for US manufacturing operations.

According to the company, its facility will be part of the Rowen Foundation’s 2,000-acre knowledge community, accounting for a total economic impact of about $5 billion. The campus will sit on 79 acres and span 460,000 square feet.

The firm has stated that the facility will support demand across its portfolio and pipeline, leveraging advanced technologies, including AI, robotics, and automation. Such technologies have been major drivers of conversation at recent industry events, marking a major shift in how companies are approaching biologic production to improve quality and efficiency.

Jacques Marbehant, transformational programs & infrastructure at UCB, stated that the facility will create about 330 skilled biologics manufacturing jobs when complete, while also providing work for 1,000 construction workers in the short term.

Marbehant cited the proximity to academic institutions Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia as influential in choosing the location for the facility. He lauded the local talent pool, which will serve as a resource for filling jobs as they become available. Georgia is already home to UCB’s US headquarters, which is located in nearby Smyrna.

Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO of UCB, said, “By investing in Georgia, where our US headquarters have been based for more than three decades, we are strengthening our biologics manufacturing capabilities, supporting our innovation pipeline, and creating high-quality jobs in a state that offers outstanding talent, a strong manufacturing tradition, and an ecosystem designed for sustainable, long-term success."

The announcement fulfills the promise UCB made last year to invest in domestic manufacturing, joining the trend of large pharma companies building capacity in the US.

"When we met with UCB leadership earlier this year in Belgium, we discussed how the Peach State would be the right partner for their visionary plans in the US that will benefit both patients and hardworking Georgians," said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. "UCB's announcement is also a significant milestone for our life-sciences industry, representing one of the largest investments in state history."