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Britain’s GSK on Wednesday became the latest pharmaceutical firm to commit bumper investment into the U.S., as President Donald Trump is in the U.K. for a three-day state visit.
The drug maker committed to investing at least $30 billion in U.S. research and developing (R&D) and manufacturing over the coming five years.
The investment includes $1.2 billion toward advanced manufacturing, AI and advanced digital technologies to deliver “next-generation biopharma factories and laboratories in the United States,” the drug maker said.
The investment commitment comes as President Donald Trump is in the U.K. for a three-day state visit.
“This week’s State Visit brings together two countries that have led the world in science and healthcare innovation. We are proud to be part of both,” GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said in a statement.
“Today, we are committing to invest at least $30 billion in the United States over the next 5 years, further bolstering the already strong R&D and supply chain we have in the country,” she added.
A number of global pharma firms have been ramping up their U.S. investments amid pressure from the Trump administration to bolster U.S. manufacturing and lower domestic drug prices.
AstraZeneca in July announced plans to invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research capabilities by 2030, following a slew of commitments from companies including Novartis, Sanofi and Roche, and U.S.-headquartered Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson.
GSK’s $1.2 billion commitment to advanced manufacturing is set to include the construction of a new biologics factory in Pennsylvania to produce respiratory and cancer medicines, the company said, as well as the addition of advanced digital technology capabilities across GSK’s existing five manufacturing sites in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and Montana.
The wider funding is also due to go toward capital investments across GSK’s U.S. supply chain and increased investment in R&D drug discovery and development and clinical trial activity, it added.
Trump’s state visit has turned out to be a lucrative affair, with a number of firms including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, OpenAI and Salesforce this week announcing multibillion-dollar artificial intelligence investments in the U.K. in a symbol of strengthened transatlantic ties.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.