AstraZeneca Unveils $300 Million Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility in Rockville, USA
Global biopharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca has officially opened a new $300 million state-of-the-art cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, marking a major milestone in the company’s $3.5 billion U.S. investment in research and development. The new 84,000-square-foot site, located at 9950 Medical Center Drive, will be instrumental in producing CAR-T cell therapies—personalized immunotherapies at the forefront of modern oncology.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, joined by AstraZeneca executives and local stakeholders, highlighted the facility’s potential to revolutionize cancer treatment while fortifying the region’s already robust life sciences ecosystem.
Strategic Investment in Transformative Cancer Therapies
The Rockville facility will support both clinical trials and eventual commercial manufacturing of CAR-T cell therapies, a class of treatments that involves genetically reprogramming a patient’s own T cells to identify and attack cancer cells. This personalized approach represents one of the most promising innovations in cancer care, offering hope for patients with certain hematologic malignancies and potentially expanding to solid tumors in the future.
With the capacity to scale up for broader commercialization, the new site is expected to create more than 150 high-quality, technical, and operational jobs in the region.
Local Leadership Commends Impact on Jobs and Healthcare Innovation
Marc Elrich, County Executive, said:
“This facility represents exactly the kind of investment we want to support. It will save lives, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen Montgomery County’s place as one of the nation’s top bio-life sciences hubs. We’re proud to have helped make it happen.”
County officials emphasized the dual benefit of advancing healthcare while spurring economic growth in the region. The facility enhances Montgomery County’s appeal as a center of biomedical innovation and aligns with the county’s long-term strategic focus on supporting cutting-edge health technologies.
Elana Fine, MCEDC Board Chair, stated:
“AstraZeneca’s new facility in Rockville is a testament to Montgomery County’s leadership in the life sciences industry. This investment highlights the county’s commitment to advancing healthcare and fostering innovation, while bolstering the local economy. We look forward to continuing to support them as they settle into the new facility.”
Public-Private Collaboration Enables Rapid Development
The opening of the facility was made possible through a combination of AstraZeneca’s global R&D investment strategy and strong public-sector support at both the county and state levels. Montgomery County and the State of Maryland contributed key economic development incentives that facilitated the project’s expedited timeline and construction.
Public support included:
- $100,000 in targeted economic development incentives provided by Montgomery County.
- $500,000 in additional support from the Maryland Department of Commerce.
- Job creation tax credits to be activated as AstraZeneca brings new employees on board.
- Streamlined permitting and regulatory assistance coordinated through the Department of Permitting Services (DPS), allowing AstraZeneca to meet an aggressive construction schedule.
The Department of Permitting Services worked closely with AstraZeneca and its development partners to maintain aggressive timelines and ensure all regulatory checkpoints were met with efficiency and accuracy.
A Strong Future for Maryland’s Life Sciences Corridor
The launch of the Rockville facility strengthens Maryland’s positioning as a premier U.S. destination for life sciences and biotech investment. With an established cluster of biomedical companies, leading academic institutions, and a highly educated workforce, Montgomery County continues to attract global life sciences leaders like AstraZeneca.
In a further reflection on the strategic nature of the investment, Marc Elrich, County Executive, also stated:
“What makes this effort different is the precision and purpose behind it. The County and State made targeted investments tied to good jobs and groundbreaking science. That’s the kind of economic development we should all be proud of. Montgomery County continues to be a place where science, talent, and infrastructure come together. We’ve built a strong ecosystem—from startups to global companies—and we’re going to keep growing it.”
AstraZeneca already maintains a significant presence in Montgomery County, with a workforce exceeding 4,500 across several sites, highlighted by its flagship 1.3 million-square-foot campus in Gaithersburg.
This latest investment signifies more than the expansion of a manufacturing footprint—it reflects a shared commitment among public and private partners to advance next-generation medical breakthroughs, create meaningful employment opportunities, and improve health outcomes worldwide.
Original Source: AstraZeneca Opens $300 Million Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility in Montgomery County, published on Friday, May 9, 2025 — Montgomery County Government Press Release.
Featured Image: Courtesy Montgomery County.
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