Thousand Oaks, California, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Biotechnology company Amgen has revealed plans to invest $600 million in a new research and development facility in Thousand Oaks, California. Set to break ground in the third quarter this year, the center aims to enhance collaboration and innovation among researchers and scientists. While not a manufacturing site, the new center will play a crucial role in expediting drug discovery efforts amidst rising demand for biomanufacturing in the U.S. This investment aligns with broader trends in the industry, as significant investments are being made to bolster domestic capabilities.
California
Biotechnology giant Amgen has announced plans to invest $600 million in a new research and development center located in Thousand Oaks, California, with groundbreaking set for the third quarter of this year. This significant investment signals a robust commitment to enhancing drug discovery capabilities within the United States.
The upcoming facility will consolidate Amgen’s researchers, engineers, and scientists under one roof, fostering collaboration and innovation. However, it is important to note that this center will not serve as a drug manufacturing facility, but rather a state-of-the-art environment designed to expedite scientific discovery and provide advanced tools for research.
Amgen is headquartered in Thousand Oaks and currently manages nearly 2 million square feet of biotech space in the Conejo Valley, approximately 40 miles west of Los Angeles. The decision to build a new R&D center is part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic research and production capabilities in response to rising import tariffs and supply chain pressures facing the industry.
Growing Demand in Biomanufacturing
Recent trends indicate a surge in U.S. biomanufacturing demand, with 15 major drugmakers projected to announce over $270 billion in new U.S. projects by 2025. This represents a striking 185% increase compared to previous years, illustrating the urgent need for domestic capabilities as operational landscapes shift globally.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities has also responded to this growth, adding over half a million square feet of lab space in the first half of 2023, with more development plans underway to meet the climbing demand for biotech facilities.
Amgen’s Expansion Strategy
Alongside the establishment of the new R&D center, Amgen recently revealed a $900 million expansion of its manufacturing site in Columbus, Ohio, and a $1 billion investment in a second facility located in Holly Springs, North Carolina. These expansions are indicative of Amgen’s commitment to increasing U.S.-based operational capacity and responding to recent healthcare policies enhancing local production.
Regulatory Environment and Policy Support
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a program aimed at streamlining the approval process for new drug manufacturing sites in the U.S. Simultaneously, the White House is focused on reducing construction timelines for pharmaceutical facilities, which historically have taken up to 10 years to complete.
Amgen attributes part of its decision to invest domestically to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, viewing it as a catalyst for significant growth in the pharmaceutical sector. The company anticipates that forthcoming legislative measures will further support this upward trend, aligning with broader initiatives to bring pharmaceutical production back to American soil amidst an escalating reliance on foreign suppliers.
Industry-Wide Investments
Other pharmaceutical firms such as AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novartis are also partaking in significant U.S. investments recently, highlighting a collective trend within the industry aimed at reinforcing domestic supply chains.
The full-scale construction of the new Amgen R&D facility represents a pivotal moment for biotech in the United States, which may lay the groundwork for the next generation of drug discovery and innovation.
FAQ Section
What is Amgen’s new investment about?
Amgen is investing $600 million in a new research and development center in Thousand Oaks, California, aimed at enhancing collaboration and scientific discovery.
When will the new facility break ground?
The groundbreaking is scheduled for the third quarter of this year.
Will the new center be a manufacturing facility?
No, the new facility will focus on research and development, not drug manufacturing.
What prompted Amgen’s investment in the U.S.?
The investment is partly a response to U.S. import tariffs and supply chain pressures, as well as a strategy to strengthen local drug supply chains.
How does this investment compare to wider industry trends?
Amgen’s investment is part of a broader trend where 15 major drugmakers have announced over $270 billion in projects in the U.S. by 2025, reflecting a significant increase in biomanufacturing demand.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fierce Biotech: Amgen to Build $600M R&D Site
- Wikipedia: Amgen
- BioPharma Dive: Amgen’s New Center Announcement
- Google Search: Amgen investment in California
- CNBC: Amgen’s $600M Investment in R&D Facility
- Google Scholar: Amgen California investment
- Business Facilities: Amgen Plans $600M Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Biotechnology
- Reuters: Amgen to Expand Ohio Biotech Manufacturing Plant
- Google News: Amgen biotechnology investments
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COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
