Bayer Announces $2.2 Billion Ohio Pharmaceutical Campus

Bayer has announced a $2.2 billion investment in a flexible, modular pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in New Albany, Ohio. The facility is designed to produce drug substances and finished products using advanced automation and digital systems. The planned campus will complement Bayer’s U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey, and other operations in Pittsburgh; Berkeley, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Durham, North Carolina; and San Diego, California. The company is developing a detailed construction schedule but declined to disclose the cost breakdown between construction, process equipment, and other expenses.

Holger Weintritt, head of product supply at Bayer’s pharmaceutical division, said, "The facility will be a strong strategic addition to our global Product Supply Network." The investment reflects a broader strategic push to expand U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. This comes amid federal efforts to reshore production and strengthen domestic supply chains. Bayer has spent more than $7 billion over the past five years expanding its U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D operations.

Timeline and phased rollout of the facility

Construction on the first module for drug substance manufacturing is scheduled to begin in mid-2027, according to New Albany officials. That first module is expected to become operational in 2031. A second module for finished drug product manufacturing is planned to follow and become operational in 2034. The first module will produce small-molecule oncology, cardiovascular and renal drugs.

Economic and workforce impact on Ohio

The project is expected to create around 600 high-value permanent jobs once manufacturing operations are established. Approximately 1,500 construction jobs will be created during the facility's buildout. Workforce readiness was a key factor in Ohio’s appeal. Bayer plans to use the Ohio Life Science Training Center to train Ohioans as biomanufacturing operators and technicians. That center is under construction and set to open next summer.

JobsOhio is investing up to $30 million in the Ohio Life Science Training Center. The City of New Albany, State of Ohio, and The New Albany Company are contributing nearly $8 million to the training center. JobsOhio said Bayer is seeking a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development.

Strategic context and regional advantages

Ohio’s growing biomanufacturing ecosystem and proximity to research institutions were key factors in Bayer’s site selection. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said, "Ohio beat out several states for Bayer’s project." Proximity to a growing biomanufacturing industry in the Columbus region was a factor. The New Albany International Business Park already includes Amgen, Hims & Hers, American Regent and Pharmavite. Amgen is expanding with 350 jobs opening in New Albany in 2027.

The Ohio Discovery Corridor connects nine world-class medical and research institutions. It provides access to 39,000 annual STEM graduates and a $1 billion annual NIH-funded research engine. Fluor worked with Bayer during site selection and is now handling early design. JobsOhio, a private, nonprofit economic development entity created by the state, said Bayer is seeking assistance for the project. Bayer plans to pursue JobsOhio assistance after a final agreement is executed.

Bayer’s broader U.S. manufacturing footprint

The New Albany site is part of Bayer’s U.S. growth strategy. It will support the company's growing portfolio in oncology, cardiovascular and renal care. Last year, Bayer completed a 70,000-square-foot expansion to its over-the-counter drug facility in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. That expansion was part of a $44 million investment. The company also invested $250 million on a cell therapy production plant in Berkeley that opened in 2023.

Other major pharmaceutical companies are also expanding. Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Pfizer and others have pledged tens of billions toward manufacturing expansions and R&D. Construction on Bayer's new campus is scheduled to begin in mid-2027 according to New Albany officials.