Global Life Sciences Industry Accelerates Expansion, Driving Tens of Thousands of New Jobs Across Biopharma, MedTech, and Healthcare Delivery

The global life sciences industry is undergoing one of its most significant expansion cycles in recent years, with major pharmaceutical, biotech, MedTech, and healthcare organizations announcing multi-billion-dollar investments, new manufacturing sites, and large-scale workforce growth across key markets. From the United States and Europe to Asia and the Middle East, companies are scaling operations to meet rising demand for advanced therapies, strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand access to critical healthcare innovations. Collectively, these initiatives will create tens of thousands of jobs over the coming decade while deepening regional innovation ecosystems.

U.S. Sees Major Biomanufacturing Momentum

In the United States, several leading companies have unveiled transformative expansions that reinforce the country’s leadership in biomanufacturing and advanced therapies.

Thermo Fisher Scientific inaugurated its East Coast flagship Advanced Therapies Collaboration Center in Philadelphia, strengthening nationwide support for the development of next-generation cell and gene therapies. The center provides biotech and translational researchers with access to expert scientific guidance, cutting-edge technologies, and scalable process development infrastructure.

AstraZeneca announced a landmark $2 billion investment in Maryland, expanding its Frederick biologics facility and building a new site in Gaithersburg. Together, the projects will support 2,600 jobs, including 300 newly created high-skill roles, while nearly doubling biologics manufacturing capacity and strengthening the company’s rare disease portfolio.

Moderna is investing $140 million to onshore drug product manufacturing to its Norwood, Massachusetts campus, completing a fully end-to-end U.S. manufacturing loop for mRNA medicines. This expansion enhances domestic production and supports new job creation as the company advances its pipeline across infectious disease, oncology, rare diseases, and autoimmune therapies.

Novartis is planning a major expansion in North Carolina, establishing a flagship U.S. manufacturing hub with end-to-end capabilities for key medicines. The investment — part of the company’s broader $23 billion U.S. infrastructure commitment — is expected to create 700 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs by 2030, strengthening the resilience of the national pharmaceutical supply chain.

Armata Pharmaceuticals announced the commissioning of its new cGMP phage-therapy manufacturing facility in Los Angeles — a crucial step that supports domestic production of innovative bacteriophage therapeutics and aligns with federal priorities to localize essential medicine manufacturing.

Cencora is investing $1 billion through 2030 to reinforce its U.S. pharmaceutical distribution network, including new centers in Ohio, Alabama and California. This expansion will enhance nationwide logistics capabilities and support future job creation as demand for specialty pharmaceuticals grows.

Avantor opened a new Centralized Service Center in the Greater Boston area, enabling regional research laboratories to reclaim critical wet lab space by offloading essential but non-core operations. The facility is expected to streamline workflow efficiency for biotech and academic organizations in one of the world’s most active scientific hubs.

Asia-Pacific Emerges as a High-Growth Life Sciences Engine

Asia continues to see rapid industrial and healthcare growth, with significant investments in manufacturing, diagnostics, and talent development.

In South Korea, Vieworks has doubled its production capacity with a major expansion of its Hwaseong manufacturing campus, strengthening global supply of digital X-ray detectors and industrial imaging systems.

AIRS Medical is rapidly growing its footprint across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as demand accelerates for its AI-driven MRI acceleration technology, SwiftMR™ — reinforcing Korea’s leadership in AI-powered diagnostics.

In India, Sai Life Sciences began construction of its advanced CMC Process R&D Center in Hyderabad. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the 100,000-sq-ft facility will double process R&D capacity and add new capabilities in peptides, oligos, formulation, and early clinical supplies. This investment positions the company as a preferred integrated drug development partner for global innovators.

Singapore is also seeing rapid scale-up, with Almac Group announcing a significant expansion of its Singapore facility as part of its long-term APAC strategy. The investment will boost clinical supply management capabilities and support the region’s growing demand for temperature-controlled and cold-chain clinical operations.

Malaysia's healthcare sector is set to benefit from the launch of the RM500 million Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Centre and Hospital, which will create 1,000 jobs and strengthen regional oncology services. The facility will house Southeast Asia’s first cyclotron outside the Klang Valley, enhancing radiopharmaceutical production capacity.

In China, Mölnlycke has initiated construction of its first local wound care manufacturing site in Changshu. The facility — designed to global standards — will begin production by 2026–2027 and create new local jobs while improving supply chain resilience for advanced wound care products.

Europe Sees Strong Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing Growth

European life sciences manufacturing is experiencing a new wave of investment focused on strengthening regional supply chains.

Eli Lilly announced a €3 billion (USD $3B) manufacturing facility in the Netherlands, located in the Leiden Bio Science Park. The site will support oral medicines across cardiometabolic diseases, neuroscience, immunology, and oncology. The investment will create 2,000 jobs including 500 long-term high-wage positions and 1,500 construction jobs.

Switzerland-based Jungbunzlauer completed its acquisition of a manufacturing site in Illinois — its first U.S. facility — supporting local job creation and enhancing North American supply capability for high-quality ingredients used across food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care.

Strengthening Essential Medicine and Antibiotic Supply Chains

In South Korea, Boryung commenced the expansion of its penicillin production facility at the Ansan Campus to fortify national antibiotic supply security. With oral penicillins designated as essential medicines, the upgraded site will introduce advanced automation and digital transformation technologies to ensure stable production and prevent shortages during public health emergencies.

Addressing Global Healthcare Talent Needs

Addressing critical workforce shortages remains a global priority.

In the United States, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions announced the recruitment of over 500 internationally trained nurses for deployment across Iowa — a state facing a projected 21% shortfall in nursing supply. The new arrivals will support hospitals, long-term care centers, and rural facilities while improving nurse-to-patient ratios and reducing reliance on overtime and agency staff.

A Convergence of Innovation, Manufacturing, and Talent Growth

Across continents, a clear trend is emerging: companies are investing aggressively to strengthen supply chains, localize manufacturing, advance therapeutic innovation, and close widening workforce gaps. These investments will not only accelerate the development of new therapies but also strengthen regional healthcare resilience.

With billions of dollars committed and thousands of new jobs set to be created globally, the life sciences sector is entering a period of unprecedented expansion. This momentum will redefine global healthcare delivery, manufacturing capabilities, and scientific innovation for years to come.