Bayer plans to invest $2.2 billion in a pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany, Ohio, outside Columbus. The German drugmaker expects the site to employ about 600 people once it is running and about 1,500 during construction.
Bayer is designing the campus in modules. The first, for drug substance or active ingredients, is expected to be operational in 2031. The second, for drug product or finished doses, is planned for 2034. The site will start with oncology, cardiovascular and renal drugs.
The US accounts for about 35% of Bayer’s pharmaceutical revenue, up from 20% at the start of 2019, COO Sebastian Guth told Fierce Pharma. He said Bayer sees value in having manufacturing capacity close to its biggest market.
The investment comes as drugmakers expand US manufacturing. Bristol Myers Squibb said in August it would build a $2.3 billion manufacturing campus in Houston. AbbVie chose Durham, North Carolina, in April for a $1.4 billion campus. The moves follow an April proclamation setting a 100% tariff on imported patented drugs, with a 15% rate for drugs made in the EU.
Construction is due to start in mid-2027. Bayer has kept Fluor for early design and expects to settle its detailed engineering and construction approach in early 2027, according to ENR.
