Maryland’s Largest Private Capital Investment: AstraZeneca to Expand Manufacturing with $2 Billion Commitment
Governor Wes Moore announced on November 21, 2025, that AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company, will invest $2 billion to expand its manufacturing footprint across Maryland. The investment represents the largest private capital investment in the state in the past decade and will create approximately 2,600 jobs across Frederick and Montgomery Counties.
The AstraZeneca Maryland investment includes two major components: a significant expansion of the company’s flagship biologics manufacturing facility in Frederick and construction of a new state-of-the-art clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg. Both projects are expected to become operational by 2029.
“AstraZeneca’s significant investment and expansion in Maryland underscores our state’s global leadership in life sciences and biomanufacturing,” Governor Moore said. “This landmark investment strengthens the U.S. medicine supply chain and accelerates the development of life-saving therapies, while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs for Marylanders. We are proud to partner with AstraZeneca to grow our economy and build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all.”
to Expand Manufacturing with $2 Billion Commitment
Frederick Facility Expansion and Job Creation Timeline
The Frederick facility expansion will nearly double AstraZeneca’s commercial manufacturing capacity for biologic drugs and will restore the company’s extensive rare disease portfolio within the United States for the first time.
Frederick Job Creation Phases:
- Permanent Jobs: 200 highly skilled positions created by 2029
- Construction Phase: 900 construction-related positions during expansion build-out
- Timeline: Expected operational by 2029
The Frederick facility currently operates as one of AstraZeneca’s critical manufacturing sites. The expansion will enable the company to bring manufacturing capacity for rare disease treatments back to the United States, addressing concerns about domestic pharmaceutical supply chain resilience.
New Gaithersburg Clinical Manufacturing Facility
The new clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg will focus on clinical-stage pharmaceutical production and is projected to become fully operational by 2029.
Gaithersburg Job Creation Phases:
- New Permanent Positions: 100 jobs created by 2029
- Retained Roles: 400 existing positions maintained
- Construction Phase: Approximately 1,000 construction-related jobs during development
- Timeline: Expected fully operational by 2029
The Gaithersburg location places AstraZeneca within the Montgomery County innovation corridor, strengthening the region’s position as a life sciences hub along the I-270 Technology Corridor.
State and Federal Support
Maryland is supporting the AstraZeneca investment with an approximately 10% match of total project costs. The state commitment includes $116.5 million in capital budget allocation over eight years as part of Governor Moore’s strategic economic growth investments.
AstraZeneca is investing an estimated $1.81 billion in capital expenditures for the expansion.
The state’s financial support underscores Maryland’s commitment to attracting and retaining biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations. This public-private partnership model aims to strengthen the state’s competitive position in the life sciences sector while generating tax revenue and employment opportunities.
“AstraZeneca has long been a vital partner to the state of Maryland and one of the most valued members of our business community,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. “We are beyond thrilled that AstraZeneca has once again chosen to invest and grow in Maryland. This is the start of a bold new chapter for the company, the state, and for Frederick and Montgomery Counties.”
AstraZeneca’s Broader U.S. Commitment
The Maryland investment is part of AstraZeneca’s historic $50 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing announced in July 2025. The Maryland announcement follows the company’s unveiling of a $300 million cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, which opened in May 2025.
The United States represents AstraZeneca’s largest market by sales revenue. The company currently operates 19 research and development, manufacturing, and commercial sites across the United States, employing more than 25,000 people directly and supporting more than 100,000 jobs nationally. In 2025, AstraZeneca generated approximately $20 billion in economic value for the American economy.
Both the Frederick expansion and Gaithersburg facility will incorporate cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. Both facilities will meet the highest environmental standards, reflecting AstraZeneca’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.
Regional Economic Impact
AstraZeneca already employs more than 5,500 Marylanders through existing facilities. The new investment will significantly expand the company’s Maryland workforce and economic footprint.
“AstraZeneca’s choice to deepen its footprint in Montgomery County is a powerful testimony to the strength of our highly educated and diverse workforce, the depth of our innovation ecosystem, and the quality of life that continues to attract and retain world-class companies,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are proud of the scientists, researchers, engineers, and professionals whose work changes patients’ lives across the world.”
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater added: “Frederick County has one of Maryland’s fastest-growing and most diversified economies, and AstraZeneca is one of our leading employers. This investment will create high-paying jobs in our community, and the work that occurs in these facilities will improve the lives of people around the world.”
Congressional and Legislative Support
Federal lawmakers representing Maryland welcomed the AstraZeneca investment.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen stated: “Expanding domestic manufacturing is critical to our state’s economic growth and helps create good-paying jobs for Marylanders. With our top-tier universities and a strong life sciences sector, Maryland is well-positioned to be at the forefront of biomedical innovation.”
U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks added: “Today’s announcement confirms that Maryland continues to be a life sciences research and manufacturing powerhouse—attracting top companies to invest in the state and its workforce, and putting Maryland at the center of the effort to find and develop critical cures.”
U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin stated: “I’m celebrating Maryland and AstraZeneca’s $2 billion investment to create and sustain thousands of good-paying jobs right here in the Free State.”
U.S. Congresswoman April McClain Delaney noted: “By choosing to expand in Maryland, AstraZeneca is strengthening its presence in a hub of scientific talent, innovation, and advanced life sciences. This historic investment is fantastic news for our communities, businesses, and workers along the I-270 Technology Corridor.”
AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot framed the investment as a deepening of the company’s long-standing presence in Maryland. “Today marks a landmark moment for Maryland and American patients,” Soriot said. “As the state’s largest biopharmaceutical employer, we are deepening our long-standing commitment to Maryland—supporting 2,600 jobs, catalysing economic growth and bringing our extensive rare disease portfolio onshore for the first time. This investment strengthens the resilience of the U.S. medicines supply chain and accelerates access to transformative therapies for patients across America and around the world.”
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