AstraZeneca has announced plans to invest $4.5 billion in Albemarle County, Virginia, to build two new manufacturing facilities. The pharmaceutical company’s project will focus on chronic disease treatments and antibody-drug conjugates for cancer therapies. The investment is expected to create 600 direct jobs, including positions for engineers, scientists, and process facilitators, as well as an estimated 3,000 indirect jobs.
Governor Glenn Youngkin described the investment as the largest single manufacturing investment in AstraZeneca’s history and said it would be a significant development for American drug manufacturing. “AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment is the largest single manufacturing investment in the company’s history and a game-changer for American drug manufacturing,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The investment is set to create 600 high-paying jobs in Albemarle County, strengthening America’s ability to produce lifesaving medicines right here in Virginia. It took just 33 days from our first conversation to partnering on this project – that’s moving at Virginia speed. Thanks to programs like the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program and the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, AstraZeneca will be able to hit the ground running. There is a true business renaissance happening in Virginia, and I want to thank Pascal and the entire AstraZeneca team for choosing to invest in Virginia and for trusting the Commonwealth as a partner in the future of a world-class company.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura highlighted the significance of the project for the state’s workforce and innovation landscape. “AstraZeneca has never shied away from the hardest challenges: cancer, obesity, heart disease, and more. Their $4.5 billion investment in Virginia is a powerful vote of confidence in what our Commonwealth has to offer,” said Segura. “Six hundred Virginians will soon join AstraZeneca in the fight to deliver hope and healing to patients. AstraZeneca’s decision shows that with our top talent, ideal location, and pro-business environment, Virginia is the place where innovation and opportunity come together to build a healthier future for all Americans.”
The new facilities will manufacture small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides for AstraZeneca’s weight management and metabolic portfolio. They will also include a facility dedicated to producing antibody-drug conjugates for cancer treatments.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said the project would contribute to both economic growth and health security. “With our $4.5 billion investment in Virginia, the largest in AstraZeneca’s history, we are not only building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, but also driving life sciences innovation and economic growth,” said Soriot. “This new facility will create thousands of jobs and strengthen America’s national security and health sovereignty. I also want to thank Governor Youngkin and his team for their energy and vision. We have found in Virginia an amazing team that moves at incredible speed to build a better future for this Commonwealth and the American people.”
AstraZeneca currently employs more than 18,000 people in the United States across 19 sites and supports 93,000 jobs nationwide. In 2024, the company contributed $5 billion directly to the U.S. economy and generated about $20 billion in overall economic value.
Local officials also welcomed the announcement. Jim Andrews, Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, stated: “AstraZeneca brings transformative investment to Albemarle County, creating high-quality jobs with competitive wages for our local workforce. Through strong partnerships with the Commonwealth, we have secured an anchor in our biotech and life sciences sector that will advance the County’s strategic goals and support a high quality of life for our community.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Albemarle County, and state legislators worked together to secure this project. AstraZeneca may receive up to $191.3 million through a special appropriation approved by the Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission (MEI Commission), based on its investment and job creation commitments. Another grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund will support the antibody-drug conjugate facility.
The company will build at Rivanna Futures Site in northern Albemarle County—a site that previously received a $9.7 million grant from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. This program funds infrastructure improvements to prepare sites across Virginia for employers looking to expand.
Delegate Luke Torian commented on Virginia’s role as a leader in life sciences: “AstraZeneca’s investment in Virginia stands as confirmation of the Commonwealth’s position as a leader in life sciences and advanced manufacturing,” said Torian. “This project will create highly skilled jobs and stronger supply chains, and demonstrates our state’s commitment to job creation and economic development.”
Senator Louise Lucas noted: “It is an honor to welcome AstraZeneca to the Commonwealth,” said Lucas. “This project illustrates Virginia’s foresight in supporting the life sciences sector and strengthens our position as a premier destination for advancing cutting-edge pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing.”
AstraZeneca is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with products sold in over 125 countries.
Representative John McGuire said: “I am excited to welcome AstraZeneca to Albemarle County and Virginia’s Fifth District. AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment will build a new manufacturing facility, create 600 new high-paying jobs that focus on chronic disease care and prevention, which makes a positive impact both economically and in Americans health. Albemarle is the perfect location for this facility, and this investment will ensure secure, long-term growth for the Commonwealth’s economy. As your Congressman, my team and I have been working with various companies to bring jobs, manufacturing, and economic development to the Virginia’s Fifth District. I want to thank Governor Youngkin, Albemarle County, and AstraZeneca for making this investment a reality.”
Senator Creigh Deeds added: “What an exciting day for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The investment by AstraZeneca is life-changing and not only promises to improve the lives of many, but the research and jobs it brings will transform the economy. I commend Albemarle County for their leadership and foresight to invest in this property. The partnership with VEDP is a model for how we grow our economy. This may be the most important investment in Virginia’s recent history of economic development.”
Delegate Amy Laufer highlighted opportunities for collaboration with higher education institutions: “It is a great day for Albemarle County with AstraZeneca and VEDP’s transformative investment into our community,” said Laufer. “This milestone is the direct result of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors’ decision to invest in this property. This development will not only contribute to the health and well-being of society, but serves as a powerful economic engine for our community. The close proximity to our excellent public higher education institutions of University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia Community College will certainly be an exciting opportunity for partnership. I’m proud to be a part of this vision and I look forward to seeing the growth that it brings to our community.”
Job training support will come through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program. This program has been recognized nationally for its customized workforce training solutions developed with higher education partners at no cost to qualifying companies expanding or relocating within Virginia.
