NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — Global biopharmaceutical leader AbbVie is making a $195 million investment to expand its operations in Illinois with the construction of a new pharmaceutical facility in North Chicago.
The project, part of AbbVie’s $10 billion U.S. capital investment plan through 2035, will fund a state-of-the-art building dedicated to producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) — the chemical components that give medicines their therapeutic effect. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2025, with operations projected to start in 2027.
The new facility is designed to strengthen AbbVie’s chemical synthesis capacity, ensuring the company can continue supporting both current treatments and next-generation therapies across neuroscience, immunology, and oncology. The advanced design includes multi-step chemical production systems and specialized equipment, underscoring AbbVie’s long-term commitment to domestic drug manufacturing.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker praised the company’s decision to build in North Chicago, calling it a significant win for the state’s economy.
“AbbVie’s decision to expand its manufacturing footprint in Illinois is a testament to our state’s world-class workforce, infrastructure, and research institutions,” Pritzker said. “This investment strengthens Illinois’ biomanufacturing ecosystem, creates jobs, and helps bring next-generation medicines to patients.”
AbbVie already employs more than 11,000 people in Illinois and roughly 6,000 across the U.S. As part of an EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy) agreement, the company has pledged to create at least 50 new full-time jobs within three years.
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Local economic leaders noted the facility is expected to generate indirect jobs as well, especially in construction, specialized manufacturing services, and supply chain support.
The investment is a strategic step in reinforcing U.S.-based pharmaceutical production at a time when domestic supply chains have been under strain. By scaling up in Illinois, AbbVie not only strengthens its innovation pipeline but also helps reduce reliance on overseas API production, a critical issue highlighted during the pandemic.
AbbVie’s expansion also reinforces the state’s positioning as a hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing. North Chicago is already home to a large portion of the company’s research and manufacturing operations, and this new facility will add to the area’s role as a driver of biotech growth and skilled employment.
Originally reported by CCN Staff Writer in Chicago Construction News.
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