German life science company Bayer is investing $2.2 billion in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in New Albany, Ohio, part of what is envisioned as a future collaborative ecosystem based in the United States connecting academic institutions with production expertise.  

The U.S. is critical to Bayer’s long-term growth strategy as a key manufacturing base and innovation hub for its growing oncology, cardiovascular, and renal care portfolio, according to CEO Bill Anderson, who cited Ohio’s growing life sciences capabilities — as well as its skilled workforce — for helping to cement the company’s decision to invest in the state.

“The new site will be home to manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce that will strengthen our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality medicines to patients both in the United States and abroad,” Anderson said in a statement.

Bayer plans to build a flexible, modular campus in Ohio, combining drug substance and drug product manufacturing that leverages digital and automation technologies. The first module, dedicated to drug substance production, is slated to become operational in 2031 and a second drug product module is planned for 2034.

The company is buying about 200 acres for the construction project, expected to break ground in mid-2027 and ultimately create approximately 600 “high value” jobs at the New Albany site.

Workforce training, talent in Ohio

To ensure a robust pipeline of skilled workers, JobsOhio last year announced a new biomanufacturing workforce initiative. Developed in partnership with the Ohio Life Sciences Association and One Columbus, the plan calls for up to $30 million to build a state-of-the-art training center in central Ohio, with nearly $8 million from the City of New Albany, the State of Ohio, and The New Albany Company.

The initiative is designed to prepare Ohioans for operator and technician roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing and related careers. Bayer will leverage the Ohio Life Science Training Center, which is under construction and scheduled to open next summer.

“Bayer didn’t just choose a site — it chose a workforce,” JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said in a statement.

At the heart of the state’s collaboration ecosystem is the Ohio Discovery Corridor’s nine medical and research facilities and leading academic institutions, with $1 billion in annual NIH funding and access to 39,000 STEM graduates each year, according to officials.

Bayer isn’t the only large biopharma company investing in Ohio recently. Last year, California-based Amgen announced a $900 million investment to expand its biomanufacturing facility in New Albany, creating 350 new jobs.

Amgen’s capital expenditure is expected to bring the total number of jobs in the state to 750 and increase the company’s total investment in central Ohio to more than $1.4 billion. Construction is slated to be completed in 2027.

Bayer’s US investment grows

Over the past five years, Bayer has spent more than $7 billion on pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing in the U.S., its largest and fastest-growing pharma market.

Last year, Bayer announced the opening of a 70,000-square-foot expansion at its Myerstown, Pennsylvania manufacturing site, following a $44 million investment aimed at boosting production capacity and modernizing operations.

The expansion included eight new product packaging lines and automated logistics systems to streamline delivery of consumer health products such as Aleve, Claritin, and Alka-Seltzer Plus. The Myerstown site, which has operated for over 75 years, serves as the largest manufacturing facility in Bayer’s global Consumer Health network producing more than 50% of Bayer North American brands.

Bayer’s New Albany site will augment its U.S. pharma headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey and other domestic sites, including Berkeley, California, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and San Diego, California.