Johnson & Johnson to Invest $1 Billion in Pennsylvania Cell Therapy Plant
Johnson & Johnson announced on Wednesday that it will invest more than $1 billion to build a new cell therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. The investment forms part of the company’s broader plan to expand U.S. manufacturing as President Donald Trump continues to push for domestic production through tariff measures.
Earlier this year, Johnson & Johnson unveiled a $55 billion investment plan through early 2029. The strategy includes new manufacturing plants and research infrastructure across the United States, including a separate facility in Wilson, North Carolina.
US Tariffs Drive Manufacturing Expansion
In October, the U.S. government introduced a 100% tariff on branded drugs. However, the tariff applies only to pharmaceutical companies that have not already begun construction on U.S.-based manufacturing facilities.
Several major drugmakers, including Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca, have announced multi-billion-dollar investments to expand their U.S. operations. These moves reflect a broader industry response to tariff threats and efforts to strengthen domestic production.
Pennsylvania Facility to Create Jobs and Expand Capacity
Johnson & Johnson said the new facility in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, will generate more than 4,000 construction jobs and approximately 500 permanent biomanufacturing positions once operational. The company did not provide a timeline for when the plant will begin production.
The new site will increase manufacturing capacity for advanced medicines targeting cancer, immune disorders, and neurological diseases.
Currently, Johnson & Johnson markets Carvykti, an approved cell therapy for adults with certain forms of multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow.
The company already operates 10 facilities in Pennsylvania, contributing an estimated $10 billion annually to the state’s economy.
In addition, Johnson & Johnson recently committed $2 billion to develop a manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The investment is part of a 10-year agreement with Tokyo-based contract drug manufacturer Fujifilm Biotechnologies.
