Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG is poised to expand an existing factory in Durham and build new ones in Durham and Morrisville, in a move state officials expect will create at least 380 new jobs by 2030.
They are also expecting Novartis to invest $771 million in the project, in return for a $21.8 million incentives package.
“The new and existing facilities will create a single hub, expanding capabilities to produce medicines across the company’s main therapeutic areas: oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular, renal and metabolic,” Novartis officials said.
“The proximity of the facilities will allow teams and production processes to work in tandem — from manufacturing active ingredients to final packaging — and create efficiencies in its manufacturing,” they said in announcing the move.
The company said it expects to create “700 new jobs in the state” by 2030.
The 380-job figure is part of the deal state Commerce Department officials rolled out on Wednesday.
Their summary of the project noted that Novartis already employs 331 people in Durham and a pair of “affiliated companies” employ another 274 people in North Carolina. The incentives package requires Novartis to retain at least the 331 in Durham.
From the state’s end, the incentives include a $7.6 million Job Development Investment Grant, $748,600 in recruiting help from Commerce and $684,000 in training aid from the N.C. Community Colleges.
The local matches include a $5.5 million giveback from Durham County, $4.8 million from Wake County and $2.3 million from Morrisville.
North Carolina beat out the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the project, Commerce officials said.Novartis has received JDIGs from North Carolina twice before. One in 2018 delivered on its promises; the company walked away from the second earlier this year after changing its plans.
The new Triangle initiative is part of a $23 billion U.S. investment drive for Novartis that also include projects in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Indiana and Florida.Novartis makes drugs used in the treatment of cancer and an assortment of genetic conditions.
It booked $11.9 billion in net income in calendar 2024, off $50.3 billion in net sales.
