AstraZeneca PLC announced on July 24, 2025, a $4.5 billion investment to build a 1.2-million- square-foot active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and cancer drug manufacturing facility in Richmond, Virginia, at the former Dominion Energy site. The plant, set to open in 2029, will produce APIs for oncology treatments like Tagrisso and Imfinzi, creating 3,600 jobs (2,000 direct, 1,600 indirect), supporting Virginia’s 20,000-strong manufacturing workforce. Backed by a $1.1 billion JobsOhio grant and federal CHIPS Act funding, the project aligns with President

Trump’s 10% global tariffs, targeting a $5 billion API market. CEO Pascal Soriot stated, “This facility advances U.S. health sovereignty through innovative therapies.”

For the precision machining industry, AstraZeneca’s plant highlights the critical role of runout in manufacturing API equipment. Components like reactor vessels require CNC milling with minimal runout, typically under 0.0001 inches, to achieve tolerances within ±0.001 inches and surface roughness as low as Ra 8 µin for stainless steel. 5-axis milling machines, optimized to reduce runout through precise spindle alignment, support automated production with real-time quality control. The project drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling,

adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Virginia, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains.

Source:

Pharmaceutical Commerce

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is abuzz with AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion Virginia plant, with posts from July 24–August 3, 2025, calling it a “healthcare powerhouse.” Users praised the 3,600 jobs, with one noting, “Richmond’s pharma scene explodes!” while another tied it to “reshoring life-saving drugs.” Some flagged the 2029 timeline. The X current surges with optimism for biotech but urges faster rollout.

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