Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is establishing a cell therapy manufacturing facility in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, US, dedicated to the production of cell therapies including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell products.
Announced in February 2026, the new manufacturing facility represents an investment of $1bn.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The facility is intended to enhance J&J’s domestic manufacturing capabilities as the company progresses its portfolio and pipeline of innovative medicines targeting cancer, immune-mediated and neurological conditions.
Upon completion, the facility will be managed by Janssen Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate more than 4,000 jobs, contributing to the local economy.
Once operational, the facility will create more than 500 specialised roles in biomanufacturing over the next 12 years, further reinforcing Pennsylvania’s life sciences sector.
Additionally, the project is expected to help retain 5,885 full-time positions across the state.
J&J’s cell therapy manufacturing facility location
J&J’s upcoming cell therapy manufacturing facility will be built in Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
The life sciences sector in Pennsylvania employs more than 100,000 individuals across approximately 3,100 companies and internationally recognised research institutions.
Over the past five years, researchers and organisations in Pennsylvania have obtained more than 10,700 new life sciences patents, ranking the state fourth nationally in this regard.
J&J already operates ten facilities in the state, covering more than two million square feet for manufacturing, research and development (R&D), distribution and office functions. The company is estimated to contribute approximately $10bn annually to Pennsylvania’s economy.
Several other life sciences organisations including Eli Lilly, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, B. Braun and GSK have also announced recent expansions within Pennsylvania, contributing to job creation and increased R&D activity in the state.
J&J cell therapy manufacturing facility details
J&J’s manufacturing facility in Montgomery County will employ advanced cell therapy technologies and equipment to support the production of its portfolio of innovative medicines.
The project is one of four facilities that J&J plans to build in the US by early 2029 as part of its broader $55bn investment plan to produce the majority of its advanced therapies domestically. Last year, the company announced a $2bn biologics manufacturing facility in North Carolina as part of this investment plan.
J&J is receiving support from Pennsylvania’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity through the PA Permit Fast Track Programme, which aims to streamline permitting for major projects, increase transparency and support timely completion by the state government.
Alongside its manufacturing operations, the facility will provide workforce training programmes focused on advanced technological skills.
The state of Pennsylvania has committed up to $2.5m through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support a local community college or technical school in establishing a workforce development training programme. This initiative aims to create a pipeline of skilled talent for the company’s operations at the new facility.
Financing
The construction of J&J’s new cell therapy manufacturing facility is supported by a $41.5m investment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The company also received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
The proposal includes up to $12m in tax credits through the Qualified Manufacturing Innovation and Reinvestment Deduction programme, up to $2m in tax credits under the Manufacturing Tax Credit programme, a $15m grant from the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites programme and a $10m Pennsylvania First grant.
Marketing commentary on J&J
J&J, a global healthcare company, specialises in innovative medicines and medical technology, employing more than 138,000 people worldwide.
J&J’s cell therapy portfolio includes CARVYKTI™, which received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in February 2022 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior therapies.
The company is also developing JNJ-90014496, an investigational autologous, dual-targeting CD19/CD20 bispecific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which is currently being evaluated in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma who have not previously received CAR T-cell therapy.
