American pharmaceutical company AbbVie has

announced plans

to expand manufacturing at its campus in North Chicago, Illinois. The company will invest US$380 million into advanced manufacturing capabilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for next-generation neuroscience and obesity therapeutics at two new facilities.

The company plans to begin construction during spring 2026, with both facilities expected to be fully operational in 2029. AbbVie plans to hire about 300 people to support operations, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators, and laboratory technicians. According to the firm, each facility will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies supported by AI.

"This milestone demonstrates further progress against our $100 billion commitment to US R&D [research and development] and capital investments over the next decade,"

said

Robert Michael, chairman and CEO of AbbVie. "By strengthening our US manufacturing capabilities, we are well-positioned to support our investment in innovation and enhance our ability to deliver next-generation medicines to patients."

Related:

Axplora expands Le Mans manufacturing site to support increased ADC demand

AbbVie’s stronghold in the region has supported Chicago’s standing as a major domestic life-sciences hub, which was further bolstered by a previous API manufacturing investment that the firm

broke ground on

last year.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has praised AbbVie's commitments to Chicago, stating that “AbbVie’s significant investment fortifies Illinois’ position as a global biomanufacturing leader while creating hundreds of new jobs. With our world-class workforce, modern infrastructure, strategic location, and cutting-edge research ecosystem, this expansion underscores why Illinois is the best place to grow and innovate. Together, we’re advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D and building a stronger economic future for communities across Illinois.”

Last month, AbbVie pledged $100 billion in US-based R&D and manufacturing investments over the next decade,

joining other major pharma firms

in pivoting toward domestic manufacturing. The firm also recently

reached an agreement

with the Trump administration aimed at improving medicine affordability for Americans by providing low prices through Medicaid and by expanding direct-to-patient offerings for several of its products.

AbbVie has also made domestic investments outside the state to shore up manufacturing. The company recently announced its intentions to

acquire

a device manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona. The value of that investment will exceed $175 million and will support the hiring of more than 200 employees.

Related:

J&J announces $1bn Pennsylvania cell-therapy manufacturing investment

The company said that it expects to make more major manufacturing announcements later this year.