British pharmaceutical giant GSK has announced plans to invest $30bn (£22bn) in research and manufacturing across the United States over the next five years, in a move set to reshape its global footprint.
The pledge, unveiled at the start of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, comes as Washington intensifies pressure on drugmakers to expand production on American soil. The investment will fund next-generation factories, research laboratories, and new digital and technology tools across the company’s US operations.
According to GSK, $1.2bn will be dedicated to building a state-of-the-art factory in Pennsylvania focused on developing medicines for respiratory diseases and cancer. Construction is scheduled to begin next year. The company also plans to introduce advanced digital and data-driven systems at its existing manufacturing sites in North Carolina and Maryland, while the remainder of the investment will support drug research and supply chain improvements.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the announcement as “a powerful example” of UK-US collaboration that would “create new jobs and accelerate the development of vital medicines.”
GSK chief executive Emma Walmsley stressed that the company remains committed to its UK base, saying it will continue to spend over £1.5bn annually on research and development in Britain. “We will keep investing in the UK while also seizing opportunities to strengthen our US presence,” she said.
The announcement follows mounting uncertainty in the UK pharmaceutical sector. Threats of tariffs as high as 250% on pharmaceutical imports to the US have led several major firms to scale back or cancel British projects. Nearly £2bn in planned UK investments have been paused or scrapped this year alone.
Last week, US pharmaceutical company Merck, known as MSD in Europe, abandoned plans for a £1bn research hub in London. Around the same time, AstraZeneca halted its proposed £200m expansion of research facilities in Cambridge, citing concerns over the regulatory and trade environment.
Analysts say GSK’s pivot reflects broader industry trends, with American incentives and political pressure drawing capital away from Europe. “The US remains the most attractive market for pharmaceutical investment,” one sector expert noted. “But the danger for the UK is that it risks losing out on innovation and jobs if these shifts continue.”
The announcement is expected to feature prominently in discussions during President Trump’s visit, with drug pricing, supply security, and cross-border trade all high on the agenda.
