North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Johnson & Johnson is moving forward with significant pharmaceutical manufacturing investments in North Carolina as part of a broader $55-billion U.S. expansion program, while also announcing a voluntary agreement with the Trump Administration aimed at lowering drug costs and improving patient access.
The healthcare company said the agreement with the administration meets requests laid out by President Donald Trump and provides Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical products with an exemption from tariffs. In return, the company has committed to a series of measures designed to reduce costs for American patients, including participation in a direct-to-consumer purchasing platform and expanded access to medicines at prices comparable to those in other developed countries.
At the same time, Johnson & Johnson continues to advance large-scale construction projects tied to its long-term U.S. manufacturing strategy, with North Carolina emerging as a key hub.
Among the projects underway is a $2-billion biologics manufacturing facility in Wilson, N.C., where construction began last year. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to create approximately 5,000 skilled manufacturing and construction jobs, according to the company. Johnson & Johnson said it has already begun ramping up hiring for advanced manufacturing roles tied to the project.
In addition, the company announced plans for a new state-of-the-art drug product manufacturing facility in North Carolina as part of its $55-billion investment program, which runs through early 2029. Details on the site location and construction timeline were not immediately released.
Johnson & Johnson has also secured a dedicated biopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Holly Springs, N.C., encompassing more than 160,000 square feet. The company said the $2-billion commitment over the next 10 years will create approximately 120 new jobs in the state.
“These investments reflect our goal of manufacturing the vast majority of our advanced medicines in the U.S. to meet the needs of U.S. patients,” said Joaquin Duato, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, in a statement.
Nationally, the $55-billion program includes new manufacturing, research and development, and technology investments, with billions of dollars already initiated in the past 10 months. In addition to the North Carolina projects, the company announced plans for a next-generation cell therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.