Summary: “Preparation, pandemic helped Virginia land Big Pharma deals”
A recent Virginia Business article outlines the more than $12 billion in major pharmaceutical manufacturing investments secured in Virginia in 2025. These investments were made possible largely thanks to a combination of long-term preparation, accelerated site readiness, and pandemic-era shifts in global supply chains.
The Commonwealth landed three large facility commitments:
- AstraZeneca confirmed a $4.5 billion investment to build two manufacturing sites in Albemarle County, expected to create about 600 jobs.
- Eli Lilly & Co. pledged $5 billion for a new facility in Goochland County, projected to add 650 permanent jobs.
- Merck & Co. announced plans for a $3 billion manufacturing plant in Rockingham County, with about 500 new jobs, and an expansion on its current operation.
How did Virginia secure these deals? State economic development officials highlight Virginia’s decade-long efforts to build a competitive life sciences cluster—strengthened by strategic workforce programs, infrastructure improvements and investments, and a focus on “shovel-ready” sites.
“All three of these projects were under extraordinarily tight time constraints,” said VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi. “… so it was a matter of delivering very robust, customized solutions, but doing so in a very rapid manner.”
Virginia combined long-term groundwork — including site preparation, workforce development, infrastructure, and educational partnerships — with tailored support for companies moving quickly, making the Commonwealth a competitive choice for investment in 2025.
With continued investments in workforce development and regional research initiatives, Virginia is well-positioned as a growing hub for pharmaceutical production and innovation, and will no doubt continue to emerge as a leader in life sciences.
To read the full article, visit: https://virginiabusiness.com/virginia-pharma-investments-2025/
