Belgian drugmaker UCB to invest $2B in suburban Atlanta plant, adding 330 jobs

Belgian pharmaceutical giant UCB announced Tuesday a $2 billion investment to construct a state-of-the-art drug manufacturing facility in suburban Atlanta, marking one of the largest pharmaceutical investments in Georgia’s history.

The new biologics plant, to be located in Gwinnett County, will create approximately 330 jobs and serve as the cornerstone of UCB’s strategy to expand its presence in the American market. The facility represents a significant scaling of the company’s U.S. operations, where it already employs about 2,000 people.

“This decision reflects our confidence in UCB’s long-term growth and our deep-rooted commitment to the United States,” said UCB CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier in a statement outlining the company’s vision for the project.

The investment comes amid a period of remarkable growth for the Belgian pharmaceutical firm. UCB reported a 26% increase in revenue to nearly $9 billion (7.74 billion euros) in 2025, accompanied by a striking 46% jump in profit to $1.81 billion (1.56 billion euros).

According to Jacques Marbehant, a UCB executive who detailed the expansion in a blog post, the Georgia facility will address increasing global demand for the company’s medications. “The new biologics facility in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is designed to meet increasing demand and ensure patients receive reliable, timely access to vital treatments,” Marbehant wrote.

UCB, once known for developing popular antihistamines like Zyrtec and Xyzal, has pivoted its focus to specialized treatments for neurological and autoimmune conditions. The company’s current flagship product, Bimzelx, treats autoimmune disorders including psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis, and has become a significant revenue driver.

The pharmaceutical manufacturer selected a location in a newly developed research park on Gwinnett County’s eastern edge—an area that economic development officials hope could eventually rival North Carolina’s prestigious Research Triangle Park as a biotech hub. The decision complements UCB’s existing U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, another Atlanta suburb.

The company cited strategic advantages in choosing the Atlanta area, including proximity to leading research institutions Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. Both universities have been actively working to strengthen their biomedical research capabilities and foster manufacturing partnerships, creating an ecosystem attractive to pharmaceutical innovators.

The project represents a long-term investment, with design and construction expected to span six to seven years. Local economic development has been substantial, with Gwinnett County officials committing $174 million in incentives, including property tax breaks, fee waivers, and infrastructure improvements to support the development.

The economic impact extends beyond construction, with jobs at the facility expected to pay an average annual salary exceeding $72,000. Additionally, UCB may qualify for numerous state benefits, including income tax credits, exemption from sales tax on equipment purchases, and state-funded job training programs.

This investment comes at a time when pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States is receiving renewed attention, with policymakers and industry leaders emphasizing the importance of domestic production capacity for critical medications. UCB’s expansion aligns with broader industry trends toward establishing regional manufacturing hubs to ensure supply chain resilience and meet regulatory requirements in key markets.

For Georgia, the announcement represents a significant win in its efforts to diversify its economic base and establish itself as a destination for high-tech and life sciences investment, sectors that offer high-wage jobs and substantial economic multiplier effects for surrounding communities.