Roche’s Genentech division is expanding its drug manufacturing operations in Hillsboro, Oregon, by investing approximately $750 million to double the size of its existing facility. This expansion will include a new facility focused on filling and finishing medicines, which means preparing and packaging drugs into devices like pre-filled syringes and autoinjectors. The new facility will be able to handle both large and small production volumes, supporting Genentech’s future medicine pipeline.
Ashley Magargee, CEO of Genentech, shared: “We are excited to make this significant investment in Hillsboro, Oregon. This region has been crucial to our manufacturing in the US for nearly 20 years, thanks to its skilled workforce and strong community. Adding this new capability will help us manufacture medicines more efficiently in the US and better support our growing pipeline of treatments.”
The expansion is expected to create 250 specialized manufacturing jobs, providing flexibility to adapt to the company’s evolving needs. Since 2006, the Hillsboro campus has produced medicines for various therapeutic areas, including cancer (oncology), immune system disorders (immunology), and brain-related conditions (neurology).
Governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, commented: “Genentech’s decision to expand in Hillsboro highlights Oregon’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and innovation. This investment will create many high-paying jobs, provide new opportunities for workers, and further strengthen Oregon’s position in the life sciences sector. We are proud to continue partnering with Genentech as it grows in our state.”
Operations at the expanded facility are expected to begin in 2031. Earlier this week, Genentech also announced the completion of a key construction milestone at a new $2 billion manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This facility is part of a larger $50 billion investment by Roche and Genentech in US research, development, and manufacturing. It is Genentech’s first site on the East Coast and will increase production capacity for medicines.