Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced on October 9, 2026 that global biopharma company GSK will invest more than $800 million to expand its operations in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County. The expansion will create more than 300 new jobs over the next five years and retain approximately 4,500 existing full-time jobs across Pennsylvania.
“Investing in additional commercial and R&D manufacturing with advanced digital capabilities at our Upper Merion site will help accelerate the development and supply of future medicines for patients,” said Regis Simard, President, GSK Global Supply Chain. “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been an important partner in supporting GSK’s growth, innovation, and manufacturing footprint in the United States. By expanding in Upper Merion, we’re building on that longstanding partnership while creating high-quality jobs and strengthening our ability to deliver the next generation of medicines.”
Manufacturing, R&D, and Quality Under One Roof
With construction planned to begin in 2027, the expansion will establish a biopharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing hub integrating commercial production, research and development, and advanced digital capabilities at a single site. The project will replace existing buildings with new and enhanced facilities, including:
- Biologics manufacturing: a commercial-scale facility capable of supporting both clinical and commercial supply.
- R&D pilot plant: co-located to accelerate tech transfer and process development.
- Quality and MSAT hub: a centralized quality control lab and manufacturing science and technology hub.
GSK will be eligible for tax benefits through Pennsylvania’s Qualified Manufacturing Innovation and Reinvestment Deduction (QMIRD) program and its Manufacturing Tax Credit program.
GSK’s Second Major Pennsylvania Expansion
This is GSK’s second major expansion in Pennsylvania under the Shapiro Administration. In October 2024, the company announced an $800 million expansion in Marietta, Lancaster County, which will create at least 200 new jobs and double that site’s size and capacity. Together, the two projects total nearly $1.7 billion. GSK’s U.S. headquarters is in Philadelphia, and its global headquarters is in London.
“GSK could have chosen anywhere in the world to expand production, but once again, they chose to renew and deepen their commitment to both the Commonwealth and our workers,” said Governor Shapiro. “When companies like GSK double down on their commitment to Pennsylvania, we create more opportunities across the Commonwealth, spur meaningful economic growth, and support our skilled workforce. My Administration will continue working hard to create good-paying jobs and grow our robust life sciences industry so that companies can grow and thrive here.”
“GSK’s decision to make another major investment in Pennsylvania is a strong signal that we have the innovation ecosystem, talent, and infrastructure to support the next generation of biopharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Secretary Siger. “This project will create hundreds of new jobs, strengthen the economy, and build on GSK’s longstanding commitment to Pennsylvania. The Shapiro Administration will continue to support and invest in companies that further boost our economy and provide real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.”
Pennsylvania’s Growing Life Sciences Sector
Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry includes approximately 3,900 companies, employs more than 110,000 people, and directly contributes $73 billion to the state’s economy. Researchers and companies in the state have secured more than 20,000 life sciences patents over the last five years, the sixth-highest total in the country. Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, and B. Braun have also announced major Pennsylvania expansions in recent years.
The state’s 2026–27 budget includes $125 million for Innovate in PA 2.0, funding three programs:
- Clinical Trial & Research Network Grant Program: strengthens clinical trial and research infrastructure.
- Life Sciences Paths Grant Program: invests in talent pathways to address workforce gaps.
- Life Sciences Challenge Grant Program: supports high-impact collaborations among for-profit, nonprofit, academic, and municipal partners.
