DURHAM, N.C. (WPTF) – Durham will be home to a new $1.4 billion, 185-acre pharmaceutical manufacturing campus that will bring hundreds of short-term and long-term jobs.
Local and state leaders announced Wednesday (April 22) that AbbVie will build the campus to support the production of immunology, neuroscience and oncology medicines. Construction will begin this year, with completion expected by the end of 2028.
Over the next four years, AbbVie plans to hire 734 people, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators and laboratory technicians. The project will also support the local economy by generating more than 2,000 construction jobs during campus development.
This is AbbVie’s first major investment in North Carolina. The AbbVie Durham campus, located near Research Triangle Park, was selected for the strength of the region’s local workforce and its ability to support future expansion.
The first phase of construction will include the building of small volume parenteral (SVP) drug product manufacturing facilities, next-generation laboratories, a warehouse, administrative offices and employee wellness facilities to support AbbVie’s growing pipeline. When completed, this campus will serve as AbbVie’s U.S. Center of Excellence for SVP manufacturing, delivering next-generation medicines to patients worldwide.
“Durham County is excited to welcome AbbVie and their transformative investment to our community,” said Dr. Mike Lee, Chair of the Durham Board of County Commissioners. “We are laser-focused on recruiting great paying jobs with meaningful career pathways for Durham residents. The quality of entry-level jobs included with this announcement provide genuine opportunities for economic mobility that we so greatly value. We are thrilled that AbbVie chose Durham County and look forward to this partnership.”
“This is a defining moment for the City of Durham. The largest private investment in the history of our city and a powerful signal that our city is competing—and winning—on a global stage,” said City of Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams. “With more than 700 new jobs and a strong commitment to our community, this project delivers both immediate impact and long-term opportunity. It reflects the strength of our economy, the talent of our workforce, and our commitment to building a future where growth is shared and inclusive. We are proud to welcome AbbVie to Durham and look forward to the lasting impact this investment will have on our residents for generations to come.”
AbbVie’s investment in North Carolina represents a significant milestone for our company as our largest capital investment to date and an important expansion of our manufacturing footprint into a new region of the United States,” said Robert A. Michael, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AbbVie. “By establishing this campus, we are strengthening our ability to support future medical breakthroughs while also creating new jobs and a long-term partnership with Durham and the State of North Carolina.”
“This decision further cements North Carolina’s position at the forefront of the global life sciences industry,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “As our pharmaceutical sector grows, we remain fully committed to cultivating the highly skilled workforce, infrastructure, and ecosystem needed to deliver lifesaving medicines to patients around the world for companies like AbbVie.”
Positions with the company will include engineers, lab technicians, manufacturing operators, and scientists. Although salaries for the positions will vary, the average annual salary will be $118,041, exceeding the Durham County average of $102,817. These new jobs could create a potential annual payroll impact of more than $86.6 million for the region.
“We are thrilled to welcome this significant investment, which serves as a powerful testament to Durham’s growing reputation as a premier global hub for innovation and talent,” said Geoff Durham, President and CEO of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. “Beyond the economic impact, this partnership highlights the company’s deep-rooted commitment to our community through sustainable growth and meaningful local engagement. Their decision to call Durham home reinforces our shared vision of a thriving, inclusive economy where corporate success and community prosperity go hand in hand.”
AbbVie is a Fortune-100 Company headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. Its mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. With a presence in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, AbbVie employs approximately 29,000 people in the U.S.
AbbVie’s operation in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a State of North Carolina Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $8 billion. The Durham County Board of County Commissioners and Durham City Council are both scheduled to consider local awards to support the JDIG at upcoming meetings this Spring.
“Durham’s talented workforce and culture of collaboration landed this project,” said Matthew Filter, Economic Development Manager for Durham County. “The County, City, Chamber, and numerous other local partners worked hand-in-hand alongside our State and regional partners to deliver this incredible project. Durham has a great economic development team, and we’re excited to welcome AbbVie to Durham.”
“We’re incredibly grateful that AbbVie chose Durham—bringing more than 700 high-quality jobs with six-figure average salaries. This is what real economic mobility looks like—creating pathways into the life sciences industry for more of our residents,” said Joshua Gunn, Director of the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “This win reflects what makes Durham special—strong partnership with the County, the Chamber, and coordinated execution across every City department—and we’re proud to welcome AbbVie as a long-term community partner committed to our future.”
“AbbVie has been an incredible community member in the Chicago area, making massive investments in people and local organizations as well as thousands of hours of volunteer time,” said Matt Gladdek, the Vice President of Economic Development with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to have a company of this caliber coming to make Durham home. We look forward to decades of growth and collaboration.”