Pennsylvania says GSK to invest more than $800 million in biopharma hub, create 300 jobs

Oct 9 (Reuters) - GSK will invest more than $800 million to expand its Upper Merion, Pennsylvania site into a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research hub, creating more than 300 jobs over the next five years, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's office said on Friday.

• The investment will establish a site that combines drug manufacturing, research and development, quality testing and digital operations in Montgomery County.

• GSK said construction is planned to begin in 2027 and the project will support both clinical and commercial production of biologic medicines.

• The expansion is expected to create more than 300 new jobs and retain about 4,500 existing full-time jobs in Pennsylvania.

• The company said the project will include a new commercial-scale biologics manufacturing facility, a research pilot plant and a centralized quality-control laboratory.

• Pennsylvania officials said GSK will be eligible for state manufacturing tax incentives tied to the investment.

• The Upper Merion expansion and GSK's previously announced Lancaster County facility project together represent nearly $1.7 billion of planned investment in Pennsylvania, according to state officials.

• GSK, whose U.S. headquarters is in Philadelphia, said the expansion will help accelerate the development and supply of future medicines.

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)