Belgian Drugmaker UCB to Invest $2B in Suburban Atlanta Plant, Adding 330 Jobs

The new biologics facility will help meet increasing demand and ensure patients receive reliable, timely access to vital treatments.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:18am

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Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB announced it will invest $2 billion to build a new drug-making plant in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The facility is expected to employ around 330 people upon completion and is part of UCB's effort to expand its presence and drug production capabilities in the United States.

Why it matters

The investment by UCB reflects the company's confidence in long-term growth in the U.S. market and its commitment to ensuring reliable access to vital treatments for patients. The new plant will also help boost the local economy in the Atlanta suburbs, providing high-paying jobs and supporting the region's growing biomedical research and manufacturing ecosystem.

The details

UCB, a rapidly growing Belgian drugmaker, said the new plant in Gwinnett County will be designed to meet increasing demand for its products, particularly its blockbuster drug Bimzelx used to treat autoimmune disorders. The company is currently focused on developing drugs for neurological and autoimmune diseases. Construction of the new facility is expected to take 6-7 years, and it will be located in a new research park that local officials hope can rival North Carolina's Research Triangle Park.

  • UCB announced plans for the new U.S. factory in June 2025.
  • The company reported 26% revenue growth to nearly $9 billion and a 46% jump in profits to $1.81 billion in 2025.

The players

UCB

A Belgian pharmaceutical company that develops drugs for neurological and autoimmune diseases. UCB has about 2,000 U.S. employees and is rapidly growing its presence in the American market.

Jean-Christophe Tellier

The CEO of UCB, who said the new plant in suburban Atlanta reflects the company's confidence in long-term growth and commitment to the United States.

Jacques Marbehant

A UCB executive who said the new biologics facility is designed to meet increasing demand and ensure patients receive reliable, timely access to vital treatments.

Gwinnett County

The suburban Atlanta county where UCB will locate its new $2 billion drug manufacturing plant, which officials hope can help rival North Carolina's Research Triangle Park.

Georgia Tech

The university in Atlanta that UCB cited as a factor in choosing the location, as the company looks to leverage proximity to biomedical researchers.

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What they’re saying

“This decision reflects our confidence in UCB's long-term growth and our deep-rooted commitment to the United States.”

— Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO, UCB

“The new biologics facility in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is designed to meet increasing demand and ensure patients receive reliable, timely access to vital treatments.”

— Jacques Marbehant, Executive, UCB

What’s next

Design and construction of the new UCB plant in suburban Atlanta are expected to take 6-7 years to complete.

The takeaway

UCB's major investment in a new drug manufacturing facility in the Atlanta suburbs underscores the company's confidence in the long-term growth potential of the U.S. market and its commitment to ensuring reliable access to vital treatments for patients. The project will also provide an economic boost to the region by creating hundreds of high-paying jobs and supporting the area's growing biomedical research and manufacturing ecosystem.