SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korea's Celltrion said Tuesday it had acquired an Eli Lilly manufacturing facility in New Jersey for about $330 million, a move aimed at expanding its U.S. presence and shielding the company from steep tariffs that could be imposed under the Trump administration.
The 45,000-square-meter plant, which includes two production lines, will be operated by Celltrion USA. Chairman Seo Jung-jin said the purchase was part of a broader “Made in USA” strategy designed to secure a stable supply chain at a time when Washington is considering tariffs of up to 200 percent on certain imported pharmaceuticals.
“This marks a turning point for Celltrion,” Seo told reporters. “We are strengthening our global position while ensuring a secure and trusted supply chain for the future.”
Production is expected to begin by 2027, pending regulatory approval from the U.S. government.
Half of the plant’s operations will continue serving Eli Lilly through contract manufacturing, while the other half will be dedicated to Celltrion’s own products.
The deal highlights the growing pressure on Asian drugmakers to localize production in the United States, where political leaders have increasingly tied health care supply chains to national security. Few of Celltrion’s competitors maintain large-scale manufacturing facilities in the U.S., giving the company a potential edge as it seeks to expand its biopharmaceutical exports.
Seo said Celltrion also plans to introduce artificial intelligence and robotics-based automation at the plant to increase efficiency, while exploring further investments in Europe.
* This article, published by Economic Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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