Pharmaceutical Giant to Build $2.3B Plant, Create 500 Jobs in Texas
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is bringing a $2.3 billion drug manufacturing campus and 500 jobs to Houston.
The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical manufacturer said in an Aug. 10 announcement that it had selected the city for the 600,000-square-foot campus, which will be built to speed up the delivery of what it calls “next-generation medicines to patients.”
“This investment reflects our confidence in America’s continued leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation,” Christopher Boerner, board chair and CEO of BMS, said. “As part of our $40 billion commitment to the United States, we’re building the domestic manufacturing capabilities needed to deliver the next generation of medicines and support future scientific breakthroughs. Houston and the state of Texas offer the talent, infrastructure, and partnership needed to help bring that vision to life.”
Why BMS Chose Houston
The campus is set to be built at Generation Park in Houston. BMS described the site as a 4,300-acre hub for life sciences and advanced manufacturing, among other factors behind its selection.
The company says the modular, multi-modal campus will be designed for flexibility and long-term growth.
The announcement drew praise from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who called the investment a testament to the state’s skilled workforce and “the pipeline of talent coming through our nation-leading technical colleges and research universities.”
“With lower operating costs and easy access to markets across the U.S. and the world, Texas drives affordability for consumers,” Abbott said.
Abbott also announced that a $4.89 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant has been extended to BMS for the project. The grant supports business relocation or expansion projects that create good-paying jobs and attract significant new capital investment.
The expansion also qualifies under Texas’ Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program.
What the Campus Will Make
BMS says the facility will combine flexible, modular manufacturing with advanced digital capabilities to help ensure a consistent supply of medicines.
Its design will allow BMS to add and reconfigure manufacturing capacity as needed. The campus is expected to make multiple types of medicines, including small molecules, biologics and antibody-drug conjugates, across a range of disease areas.
How Many Jobs Will the Campus Create?
The new campus is projected to employ nearly 500 people initially, according to the company. Roles will include operations technicians, production specialists, maintenance and engineering professionals, quality-control and quality-assurance experts, site leadership and administrative staff.
BMS expects to create approximately 2,000 construction and other indirect jobs between 2027 and 2030 as the facility is built and brought online.
Disclosure: This article is based on an announcement from Bristol Myers Squibb and statements from Texas officials.
