Belgian biopharmaceutical firm UCB revealed Tuesday its commitment to construct a $2 billion biologics manufacturing facility in the Atlanta metropolitan area, marking a significant expansion of its North American operations.

The Brussels-headquartered company, experiencing accelerated growth in recent years, indicated the facility will serve as a cornerstone of its strategic push to strengthen its commercial presence across the United States market. The plant is projected to generate approximately 330 specialized positions once operational.

"This strategic investment underscores UCB's confidence in our sustained growth trajectory and reinforces our enduring commitment to the U.S. healthcare ecosystem," stated CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier in the company's announcement.

The facility announcement follows UCB's June disclosure of plans to establish additional U.S. manufacturing capacity through both proprietary facilities and expanded contract manufacturing partnerships. With an existing workforce of roughly 2,000 employees in the United States, the company has demonstrated robust financial performance, posting 26% revenue growth to nearly $9 billion (7.74 billion euros) in 2025. Net income surged 46% to $1.81 billion (1.56 billion euros) during the same period.

"The new biologics manufacturing center in Gwinnett County, Georgia, has been strategically designed to accommodate rising therapeutic demand while ensuring patients maintain consistent, dependable access to critical treatments," explained UCB executive Jacques Marbehant in a company blog post.

While UCB's portfolio historically included the antihistamine brands Zyrtec and Xyzal, the company has strategically pivoted toward specialized therapeutic areas, concentrating on neurological conditions and autoimmune disorders. Its flagship product, Bimzelx, addresses multiple autoimmune indications including psoriatic disease and various forms of inflammatory arthritis.

UCB selected a site within an emerging research park situated on Gwinnett County's eastern boundary, a development that regional economic development officials envision as a potential counterpart to North Carolina's renowned Research Triangle Park. The company maintains its existing U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, another Atlanta-area suburb.

The location decision factored in proximity to academic research institutions, particularly Georgia Tech's Atlanta campus and the University of Georgia in Athens. Leadership at both institutions has actively pursued initiatives to expand biomedical research capabilities and attract life sciences manufacturing operations.

The project timeline spans six to seven years for design and construction phases. Gwinnett County has assembled an incentive package totaling $174 million, encompassing property tax abatements, waived development fees, and infrastructure enhancements to support positions averaging over $72,000 annually. UCB may also access state-level benefits including income tax credits worth millions, sales tax exemptions on capital equipment, and publicly funded workforce development programs.