Biopharmaceutical company AbbVie has announced plans to invest $380 million in the construction of two new manufacturing facilities in North Chicago. This initiative aligns with job creation efforts supported by both the administration of Governor JB Pritzker and the former administration of President Donald Trump. The facilities are projected to generate approximately 300 new jobs, encompassing roles for engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators, and lab technicians.
The new plants will focus on producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are essential for the development of medications targeting neuroscience and obesity. Construction is expected to commence in the spring of 2024, with full operational capability anticipated by 2029. This project follows AbbVie’s announcement in August of an additional $195 million facility in North Chicago, which is also designated for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation
All three projects, including the newly announced facilities, are part of Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program. This program offers tax credits to companies that contribute to job creation and investment in the state. Governor Pritzker praised AbbVie’s substantial investment, stating, “AbbVie’s significant investment fortifies Illinois’ position as a global biomanufacturing leader while creating hundreds of new jobs. Together, we’re advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D and building a stronger economic future for communities across Illinois.”
Moreover, these developments are in line with an agreement AbbVie reached with the Trump administration earlier this year. In exchange for a three-year exemption from tariffs and future price mandates, AbbVie committed to spending $100 billion on research, development, and construction projects in the United States over the next decade. The company also pledged to offer “low prices” in Medicaid and to increase direct medication sales to consumers through the proposed online platform, TrumpRx.
Expanding Manufacturing Footprint
AbbVie, which is headquartered in North Chicago, employs more than 11,500 people in Illinois and about 29,000 employees nationwide. The company is widely recognized for its medication Humira, used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, as well as other drugs like Skyrizi for plaque psoriasis and Rinvoq for rheumatoid arthritis. AbbVie is also known for its production of Botox.
In addition to the new facilities in North Chicago, AbbVie has recently announced plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of a facility in Arizona and investments in its Massachusetts manufacturing site. The company is actively in discussions with multiple states regarding potential further manufacturing investments, indicating a robust growth strategy moving forward.
As AbbVie continues to enhance its manufacturing footprint, the initiatives not only bolster local economies but also reflect a commitment to advancing pharmaceutical production and innovation in the United States.
