Recent major biopharmaceutical announcements have sent a clear signal from the industry: Virginia is the future of biopharma manufacturing.

Merck’s $3B expansion in Rockingham County builds on an 85-year legacy in Elkton, Virginia and adds 500 new jobs in the Commonwealth. The investment underscores the site’s long-standing role in producing essential medicines for global distribution and reflects Merck’s continued commitment to innovation, resilience, and patient-first care.

A look at the partnerships and targeted investment that created the next U.S. biopharma hotspot — and the work that still needs to be done.

VEDP's Vice President of Manufacturing Sneha Atwal speaks with Dave Maraldo, senior vice president of Human Health Manufacturing Operations at Merck, one of the five largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world.

With recent investments in biopharma manufacturing, Virginia is meeting the moment with a major push to build its talent pipeline, launching new training programs and a dedicated workforce center to prepare workers for advanced manufacturing roles. As reshoring accelerates, the Commonwealth is positioning itself not just as a production hub—but as a leader in workforce readiness. 

Merck, Eli Lilly, Astra Zenec and more have made investments to expand in Virginia, signalling a broader surge in U.S.-based biopharma manufacturing as major drugmakers invest billions to bring production stateside. Driven by pandemic-era supply chain risks and new policy incentives, a nationwide reshoring wave is rapidly gaining momentum.

An article in Virginia Business examines how Virginia secured more than $12 billion in major pharmaceutical manufacturing investments in 2025 - attributing the success largely to long-term preparation and partnerships and tailored support.

Bonnie Chavez, CEO of Building Beloved Communities in Roanoke, Virginia, discusses quality of life and talent opportunities in Roanoke and Virginia as a whole, including what drew her to the area, the opportunities for talent and her own "Why Virginia" story.

Bonnie Chavez, CEO of Building Beloved Communities in Roanoke, Virginia, discusses quality of life and talent opportunities in Roanoke and Virginia as a whole, including what drew her to the area, the opportunities for talent and her own "Why Virginia" story.

VEDP Senior Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Beard about talent in Virginia and the rest of the country and the ways states and regions can help ensure alignment between skill development and employer needs.