Haleon Invests Over $50 Million to Modernize Existing Richmond Facility

In 2025, Haleon undertook a $54.2 million upgrade to its research & development facility in the City of Richmond. Haleon is a leading global consumer health company, with a portfolio representing an array of trusted, recognized, and doctor-recommended brands. 

But Haleon has had a presence in Richmond for years, with the company's lineage dating back to the establishment of the A.H. Robins Apothecary in 1866. 

Initially the global R&D headquarters for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Haleon first announced plans to invest $16.7 million to expand this Richmond-based research and development center in 2019.

The same amenities that inspired the initial investment, including access to world-class colleges and universities, top-tier talent acquisition, and Virginia’s ongoing life science renaissance, also convinced Haleon to remain in Richmond once it completed its demerger from GSK.

Innovation Breeds Innovation

The Richmond-based center was only one of three R&D laboratory hubs Haleon chose for its global consumer healthcare business.

This facility soon became the center of the company’s critical technical functions, including computer science, formulation development, process scale up, analytical test method development, microbiology, product stability, packaging design, and clinical supplies.

But success came with its own predicament: the ongoing need to expand. 

It became clear after only a few years that modernization would enable the Haleon to accommodate innovative technologies and expand its research capabilities.

A Winning Collaboration

But it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Haleon would choose its Richmond facility as the home of its new expansion.

Enter the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). Working with the City of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Partnership, they developed a competitive bid that would see Haleon remain in Richmond, expand its footprint, and support the local community.

In 2025, Haleon officially announced a $54.2 million investment, focused on expanding and modernizing their Research and Development Center in Richmond.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for Haleon. Our investment in the modernization of the lab space at our Research & Development facility is an investment in delivering on our mission of everyday health with humanity as well as the Richmond community. We are further excited by our partnership with the Commonwealth to co-fund a five-year paid internship program, with the State of Virginia to build Richmond as a Life Science Hub and develop the future workforce. Haleon is proud to give back to the community we call home.”  

Lisa Paley

North America President, Haleon

Training the Next Generation

In addition to this expansion, Haleon and Virginia partnered to launch the Haleon-Commonwealth Consumer Healthcare Internship Program for Advanced Life Sciences. 

This five-year program, in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and jointly funded by Haleon and the state, provides paid opportunities for undergraduate VCU students in the new Pharmaceutical Science degree program. It also supports summer internships for both undergraduate and graduate students from all of Virginia's institutions of higher education.

This effort to build the next generation of consumer health professionals is a testament to Haleon’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s workforce, and we are proud to continue supporting their Virginia-based growth for many years to come.