Columbus, Ohio – Ohio is set to receive a major pharmaceutical manufacturing investment as Bayer plans to spend $2.2 billion on a new facility in New Albany, a project expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs and about 1,500 construction positions.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joined Bayer and JobsOhio in announcing the project, which will be developed in the New Albany International Business Park. Once operating, the facility is expected to employ around 600 people in high-value positions.
“Bayer is a globally respected life sciences company that could have chosen to build this new facility anywhere in the United States — and it chose Ohio,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This project firmly solidifies Ohio’s place among global biomanufacturing leaders as a destination for life sciences investment.”
The planned investment follows more than $7 billion that Bayer has spent on pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing in the United States during the past five years. The company views the new Ohio operation as an important part of its long term growth plans and its effort to expand innovation and patient access in its largest pharmaceutical market.
“Bayer has long seen the United States as a key manufacturing base and innovation hub. This landmark investment underscores our commitment,” said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson. “The new site will be home to manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce that will strengthen our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality medicines to patients both in the United States and abroad.”
New Albany campus planned in multiple stages
Bayer plans to create a flexible and modular manufacturing campus capable of handling both drug substance and drug product manufacturing. The facility is also expected to use advanced automation and digital technology.
Its work will support Bayer’s expanding pharmaceutical portfolio in areas including oncology, cardiovascular care and renal care. The project is also intended to strengthen the reliability of the medicine supply in the United States.
Construction and operations will be developed in stages. The first module, which will focus on manufacturing drug substances, is expected to begin operating in 2031. A second module dedicated to drug product manufacturing is planned to follow in 2034.
“Bayer’s $2.2 billion investment is a direct result of Ohio’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure and creating the environment for businesses to succeed,” said Senator Bernie Moreno. “We beat out many other states for this project. When completed, it could employ around 600 people making medicine here. Ohio keeps proving it is the best place in America to do business, and this does not happen without strong leadership.”
The New Albany operation will join Bayer’s existing pharmaceutical presence around the country. The company has its U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters in Whippany, New Jersey, as well as locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Berkeley, California, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and San Diego, California.
Workforce training played role in Ohio decision
Ohio’s available workforce and plans to train future biomanufacturing employees were described as important factors in attracting the project.
Bayer is expected to use the Ohio Life Science Training Center to help prepare people for jobs as biomanufacturing technicians and operators. The center is currently under construction and is scheduled to open during summer 2027.
JobsOhio is investing as much as $30 million in the training center. Nearly $8 million more is coming from the City of New Albany, the State of Ohio and The New Albany Company.
“Bayer didn’t just choose a site. It chose a workforce,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The Ohio Life Science Training Center exists to prepare Ohioans for careers in STEM, and it’s already paying off. Together, JobsOhio, Ohio Life Sciences, the City of New Albany and Columbus State are building the talent pipeline that will ensure the future of medicine is built in Ohio.”
Infrastructure was another factor highlighted in the announcement. Years of planning in New Albany have focused on providing access to resources such as water, power and other infrastructure needed for large development projects.
Bayer will join an existing life sciences group in the New Albany International Business Park that includes Amgen, Hims & Hers, American Regent and Pharmavite.
The area also sits within the Ohio Discovery Corridor, which connects nine major medical and research facilities with leading academic institutions. According to the announcement, the corridor provides access to 39,000 STEM graduates each year and about $1 billion in annual research supported by the National Institutes of Health.
“Bayer’s investment builds upon the momentum we are creating both locally and statewide, including the recently announced Ohio Life Science Training Center. The New Albany International Business Park will be home to the $35 million, state-of-the-art biomanufacturing training facility, the first of its kind in Ohio,” said New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding. “Together, these investments are creating high-value career opportunities and building the workforce needed to support the continued growth of this important industry.”
Bayer also intends for its new facility to become part of a broader U.S. collaboration network linking academic research with advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“Bayer’s decision is a powerful statement about the Columbus Region’s growing position as a global center for life sciences,” said Jonas Peterson, chief economic development officer and president of One Columbus. “Our location provides exceptional access to major North American markets, while our talent has the depth to support the sophisticated work driving the future of medicine. Bayer is joining a region with real momentum in life sciences, and the capacity and ambition to lead what comes next.”
The project is expected to seek a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Department of Development during a future Tax Credit Authority meeting. Bayer also plans to seek assistance from JobsOhio. Details of that support would be released publicly after a final agreement is completed.
With $2.2 billion in planned investment, around 600 permanent jobs and approximately 1,500 construction positions, the Bayer project adds another major pharmaceutical manufacturing operation to New Albany while expanding Ohio’s growing life sciences sector.
