Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and its U.S. biotech subsidiary, Genentech, are making a significant move into the American Southeast, announcing plans for a new 700,000 square foot drug manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The project, representing an investment of more than $700 million, will be Genentech’s first manufacturing site on the East Coast and is expected to reshape the region’s biopharma landscape.
This new facility is designed to support Roche and Genentech’s growing metabolic medicines portfolio, with a particular focus on next-generation obesity treatments. The company’s decision to build in Holly Springs reflects both the town’s emergence as a biopharmaceutical talent hub and North Carolina’s growing reputation as a destination for life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
Once operational, the site will create more than 400 high-wage manufacturing jobs. During construction, the project will generate over 1,500 jobs, providing a substantial boost to the local economy. The initial investment could expand further, depending on business needs and shifts in the U.S. policy environment.
Holly Springs was chosen after an extensive search that considered more than 60 locations. The town’s proximity to Raleigh, a well-established center for biopharma talent, made it a natural fit. Genentech CEO Ashley Magargee highlighted the significance of the location, saying, “Our new facility near Raleigh, North Carolina, an established biopharmaceutical talent hub, will serve as an important new setting within our manufacturing network to help deliver on the promise of our company’s life-changing science and industry-leading pipeline. We are thrilled to establish this relationship with the city of Holly Springs, where we expect to have a positive impact on the local economy and community, as we have across the United States since we pioneered the biotech industry nearly 50 years ago”.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein welcomed the investment, noting, “I’m proud that Genentech has chosen North Carolina for its first facility on the East Coast. This major investment in Holly Springs shows that our state continues to be a leading destination for life sciences and advanced manufacturing. With more than 400 new jobs on the way, this project will strengthen our economy, create opportunities for our people, and advance cutting-edge scientific innovation right here in North Carolina”.
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis also praised the move, calling it a “significant milestone” for North Carolina’s biotechnology sector and commending Genentech’s commitment to innovation and job creation in the state.
Roche and Genentech already have a strong U.S. footprint, with 13 manufacturing and 15 research and development sites across their pharmaceutical and diagnostics divisions. Together, they employ about 25,000 people in 24 locations across eight states. The addition of the Holly Springs facility marks a strategic expansion, reinforcing the companies’ commitment to investing in infrastructure, talent, and technology to deliver the next wave of medical breakthroughs.
The Holly Springs project is part of a broader trend of major pharmaceutical investments in the U.S., as companies respond to evolving healthcare needs and policy shifts. Roche’s recent announcements, including a planned $50 billion investment in the U.S. over the next five years, signal a long-term commitment to American innovation and manufacturing.
As the new facility comes online, it is expected to play a crucial role in scaling up production of advanced metabolic and obesity medicines, helping Roche and Genentech maintain their leadership in biotech innovation. For North Carolina, the investment is more than just a new building-it’s a catalyst for economic growth, high-quality jobs, and continued scientific progress.
With this move, Roche and Genentech are positioned to strengthen their U.S. operations and support the development of therapies that could have a lasting impact on patients nationwide.
