BIO Delegation Tours RTP During North Carolina Manufacturing Week
North Carolina is a Leader in Biomanufacturing
Since 2022, life sciences companies have announced plans to create more than 10,000 jobs. With 170 existing life sciences manufacturing sites in the state directly employing 36,000 people, this growth is building on a well-established foundation.
Leading life sciences companies, including Amgen, Baxter Healthcare, Biogen, Genentech, Grifols, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Pfizer, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Novonesis, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, have a presence in North Carolina. These companies produce vaccines that keep communities healthy, medicines to treat diabetes and obesity, and breakthrough therapies for chronic diseases and cancers.
“There is tremendous opportunity in North Carolina to start and grow a career in life sciences manufacturing,” said Laura Rowley, Ph.D., vice president of life sciences economic development, NCBiotech. “With hundreds of established employers and robust training infrastructure, this is a proven industry. Moreover, it’s an industry on the rise.”
BIO Delegation Visited NCBiotech and Biogen
A delegation from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), led by president & CEO John F. Crowley, visited North Carolina's Research Triangle Park (RTP) on October 2 to learn about the state's robust life sciences ecosystem. The stop was part of BIO on the American Road, a learning and networking tour of biotech ecosystems across the U.S.
BIO recently published The U.S. Bioscience Economy TEConomy Report. The report shows North Carolina led biomanufacturing employment growth, adding 6,816 employees in 2025. That’s 29.2% growth from 2021 to 2025.
The NC Life Sciences Organization (NCLifeSci) introduced BIO representatives to several innovation leaders at an industry roundtable hosted at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech).
The group then toured Biogen’s RTP facilities, which develop and manufacture treatments for neurology, immunology, and rare diseases. Biogen has maintained NC operations for more than 30 years and remains one of the largest biotech employers in North Carolina.
"Companies come to North Carolina and RTP because of the investments, talent, partnerships and strong support from elected leaders that make innovation possible," said Crowley.
Biogen announced a $2 billion investment in its existing RTP manufacturing footprint in July 2025. The expansion will add clinical product assembly and packaging capabilities, utility, and infrastructure improvements for future biologics, pills and tablets.
Many Paths to a Life Sciences Career
You don’t need to be a scientist or hold a Ph.D. to build a career in life sciences manufacturing. Pathways exist for job seekers with a community college certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. As part of its Manufacturing Day celebrations, Biogen highlighted three employees who describe their career pathway – ranging from a contractor role to an internship to a community college certificate with an apprenticeship – each led to a fulfilling career in North Carolina.
Armond Shaw, manufacturing associate, joined Biogen as a contractor after working warehouse and fast-food jobs.
"I wanted job security, and I saw a career at Biogen. I've been able to actually really take care of my family."
McKenna Welch, manufacturing specialist, came to Biogen through an internship in her junior year of college.
"I would say manufacturing is a great field to work in because it's ever-growing. There's always going to be a need for the job. There are always medicines to be made."
Alicia Alford, manufacturing associate III, started with BioWork, a certificate program that builds foundational skills for biopharmaceutical work, then joined Biogen's apprenticeship program.
"I did the apprenticeship program. I shadowed subject matter experts. They really helped me develop my skills. Now I've worked my way up to the manufacturing associate III."
To learn more about life science careers and career pathways, visit here.
To learn which life science roles would suit you best, take the Career Quiz.