Illinois Lands Major Pharma Expansion as PCI Invests $365M+ in Global Projects

Illinois Lands Major Pharma Expansion as PCI Invests $365M+ in Global Projects

by John Conrad| Sep 25, 2024| NewsBrief

PCI Pharma Services is set to significantly expand its presence in Rockford, Illinois, as part of a broader $365 million investment across its U.S. and European operations. The contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) announced on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, that Rockford will be the centerpiece of its ambitious growth strategy.

The Illinois expansion includes:

• A massive 545,000-square-foot addition to PCI's existing Rockford facility
• 345,000 square feet dedicated to advanced injectable packaging
• 130,000 square feet of new warehouse space
• Over 20 customer suites for various development phases
• Cutting-edge technology for assembling and packaging vials, prefilled syringes, and autoinjectors
• An additional 70,000 square feet for "patient-centric" drug-device combinations, including on-body injectors

PCI plans to bring the Rockford expansion online in two phases, with initial operations slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025. This substantial investment in Illinois underscores the state's growing importance in the pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape.

The company cited recent new business as the driving force behind this expansion, positioning Rockford to capitalize on growth opportunities in the injectable drug delivery market. PCI's focus on advanced drug-device combination products aligns with industry trends toward more sophisticated and patient-friendly delivery systems.

While the Illinois project takes center stage, PCI is also expanding its footprint internationally:

• Upgrading drug delivery technology at its Philadelphia headquarters
• Acquiring a packaging and device assembly plant near Dublin, Ireland
• Breaking ground on a new facility at its CityNorth Dublin campus

These global investments complement the Rockford expansion, strengthening PCI's position as a leading CDMO with a significant presence in the American Midwest.

The Rockford project follows a $50 million expansion at the same site announced last spring, highlighting PCI's continued commitment to growing its Illinois operations. As the pharmaceutical industry evolves, Rockford is poised to become a key hub for advanced drug delivery manufacturing, bringing potential economic benefits and job opportunities to the region.