AbbVie Unveils Plans for State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in North Chicago

AbbVie Establishes New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility in North Chicago

AbbVie, a prominent global biopharmaceutical company, has officially commenced the construction of its new state-of-the-art active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in North Chicago, Illinois. This significant development is set to advance AbbVie's long-standing commitment to bolstering its manufacturing capabilities within the United States, ensuring that it can better serve patients with a range of medicines in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.

On September 29, 2025, AbbVie representatives gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of this pivotal project. The new facility signifies the company's dedication to enhancing biopharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing prowess domestically. It is part of a larger initiative where AbbVie plans to invest over $10 billion in U.S. capital over the next decade, aimed at expanding and modernizing its manufacturing operations throughout the country.

Enhancing Production Capabilities

The new API facility is designed to play a crucial role in the complex process of producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, which are essential for the therapeutic effects of medications. Once operational, AbbVie's facility is expected to expand its chemical synthesis capabilities significantly.

This expansion is not just about increasing production capacity; it reflects AbbVie's strategic move to relocate API production for certain products from Europe and Asia back to the U.S. This strategy aligns with the company's vision of enhancing domestic production of current and next-generation medicines, thereby improving accessibility for patients who rely on their innovative therapies.

Job Creation and Economic Impact

The investment in the North Chicago facility, estimated at $195 million, is projected to generate new job opportunities, reinforcing AbbVie’s existing workforce of approximately 28,000 employees across the United States. The company’s commitment to enhancing its manufacturing footprint is crucial, as it supports more than 6,000 jobs across 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. alone. AbbVie's presence is strong in Illinois, where it is headquartered and employs over 11,000 individuals committed to developing life-changing medications for patients worldwide.

This project also aligns with AbbVie's efforts to enhance its contributions to the local economy. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, AbbVie exemplifies how biopharmaceutical companies can play an instrumental role in job creation and economic growth.

A Vision for the Future

Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., AbbVie's Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, emphasized the importance of this groundbreaking by stating, "Today's groundbreaking is an important milestone in AbbVie's ongoing campaign to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S.". This sentiment reflects AbbVie's broader mission to discover and deliver cutting-edge medicines that effectively address serious health issues, both today and in the future.

With its operations expanding to meet the growing demands of the healthcare sector, AbbVie is positioned to make a remarkable impact on patient care and medical advancements in the coming years.

The North Chicago API manufacturing facility is anticipated to become fully operational by 2027, marking a new chapter in AbbVie's ongoing journey of innovation and commitment to improving healthcare for patients across the globe.

For additional information about AbbVie’s initiatives and updates, visit AbbVie’s official website. Follow AbbVie on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay connected with their latest news and developments.