AbbVie Plans Durham, North Carolina, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations

Area Development News Desk

04/24/2026

Research-based biopharmaceutical company AbbVie plans to establish operations in Durham, North Carolina. The $1.4 billion project is expected to create 734 jobs.

The investment will include the construction of a new pharmaceutical production campus, located on 185 acres, that will integrate advanced manufacturing and laboratory technologies with artificial intelligence to support the company’s immunology, neuroscience and oncology medicines.

"Our investment in North Carolina represents a significant milestone for AbbVie 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, 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."

The project is being supported, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $8 billion. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and capital investment of $1.295 billion, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $19,347,000, spread over 12 years. State payments occur only following performance verification each year by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

“This decision further cements North Carolina’s position at the forefront of the global life sciences industry,” noted 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.”

The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 189 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $2.89 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

"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,” added 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.”

Because AbbVie chose a site in Durham County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 3, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving as much as $6,449,000 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities anywhere in the state finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.

“With continuous reinvestment in its training infrastructure, North Carolina remains eager to expand upon its strengths in biomanufacturing,” said Laura Rowley, vice president, life sciences economic development, NCBiotech. “We are thrilled that AbbVie has selected Durham County and look forward to partnering to support the success of their North Carolina team.”

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the North Carolina Community College System, Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina Central University, Duke University, Duke Energy, Enbridge Gas North Carolina, Durham County, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and the City of 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,” noted Joshua Gunn, director of the City of Durham 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 develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines for a range of diseases. The company focuses on areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and other complex health conditions. Its operations include drug discovery, clinical development, manufacturing, and global distribution of pharmaceutical products.

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