UCB to invest $2B in Gwinnett biologics facility, creating 330 jobs

The first pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility in the U.S. is coming to Georgia.

UCB, Inc., a giant biopharmaceutical company based in Belgium, is planning to invest $2 billion to bring the facility to Gwinnett County at the Rowen Foundation’s science and learning campus creating 330 new jobs.

“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 U.S. that will benefit both patients and hardworking Georgians,” said Gov. Brian Kemp in a news release. “UCB’s announcement is also a significant milestone for our life sciences industry, representing one of the largest investments in state history and establishing both the Rowen facility and Georgia as a true hub of innovation in this field.”

The company already has its North American headquarters in Smyrna, which supports more than 400 jobs. The new facility will serve as the anchor tenant for the 2,000-acre planned community by the Rowen Foundation.

“This decision reflects our confidence in UCB’s long-term growth and our deep-rooted commitment to the United States,” said Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO of UCB, in the news release. “By investing in Georgia, where our U.S. 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.”

Tellier said in the release that the project will generate around $5 billion in total economic impact.