Gilead boosts U.S. manufacturing with US $11B expansion

USA – Gilead Sciences has announced a major expansion of its U.S. operations, committing an additional US $11 billion to boost its manufacturing and research footprint.

This move brings the company’s total planned investment in the U.S. to US $32 billion over the next five years.

The biotech giant says the new funding will support the construction of three new facilities and upgrades to three existing sites.

It also plans to invest in modern technologies and advanced engineering to improve production capacity and innovation.

Altogether, the investment is expected to create around 3,000 new jobs by 2028 – 800 directly at Gilead and 2,200 indirectly through partners and suppliers.

Gilead’s announcement comes as several major pharmaceutical companies are ramping up their U.S. investments.

Bristol Myers Squibb recently revealed a US $40 billion plan, despite ongoing job cuts, with a focus on radiopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence.

Johnson & Johnson is also expanding with a US $55 billion package to grow its medicine and medtech operations.

Other industry leaders like Eli Lilly, Amgen, Novartis, Roche, and Regeneron have joined the trend, each unveiling billion-dollar commitments to strengthen domestic production.

These investments follow growing pressure from the U.S. government to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing back home.

In February, former President Donald Trump called for new tariffs on imported medicines to encourage companies to reshore production.

His administration has since launched a national security investigation into pharma imports under Section 232, which could lead to new trade restrictions.

In response to potential tariffs, many companies are not only expanding manufacturing in the U.S. but also stockpiling medicines.

According to a recent report, pharmaceutical imports hit US $50 billion in March, making up 20% of all drug imports in 2024.

With its latest move, Gilead joins a growing list of drugmakers preparing for a more self-reliant, U.S.-centered pharmaceutical supply chain.