Prime Highlights:
- GSK will invest $30 billion (£22 billion) in the US over the next five years.
- The move will boost research, new medicines, and modern manufacturing.
Key Facts:
- $1.2 billion will be used to build a new factory in Pennsylvania for respiratory and cancer medicines.
- The investment was announced during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK.
Key Background:
GSK will invest $30 billion (£22 billion) in the US over the next five years to boost research, drug development, and modern manufacturing. The announcement came at the start of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK and is seen as an important step in strengthening healthcare ties between the two countries.
GSK said the investment will go toward building advanced factories and research facilities. A key part of the plan includes $1.2 billion for a new factory in Pennsylvania, which will focus on producing medicines for respiratory diseases and cancer. Construction of the site is expected to begin next year.
The company also revealed that part of the investment will support AI-driven digital technologies across five of its US manufacturing plants, including facilities in North Carolina and Maryland. The remainder of the funding will be used to expand GSK’s supply chain capabilities and accelerate drug research efforts.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement, calling it a strong example of the UK-US partnership that will create jobs and support medical progress. GSK’s Chief Executive Emma Walmsley also said the company will continue to invest in Britain, with over £1.5 billion being spent each year on research and development.
At the same time, the decision highlights the difficulties facing the UK’s pharmaceutical sector. In recent months, several major drugmakers have reduced their UK plans, mainly due to concerns over possible US tariffs of up to 250% on medicine imports. This has already led to nearly £2 billion in cancelled or paused projects across Britain. Last week, US-based Merck scrapped its planned £1 billion research centre in London, while AstraZeneca halted a £200 million expansion project in Cambridge.
GSK’s decision highlights both the opportunities and uncertainties in today’s global pharmaceutical landscape. While the US stands to benefit from job creation and innovation, the UK faces the pressing challenge of retaining investment in its healthcare research sector.
Read Also : Three Boston CEOs Named in Fortune’s 2025 List of Most Powerful People in Business
