Bristol Myers Squibb Bets Big on America with $40 Billion Investment Plan

U.S. pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) plans to invest USD$ 40 billion in the United States over the next five years, even as it undergoes restructuring and cost-cutting measures that will result in hundreds of layoffs. Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Boerner, disclosed the investment in an article published by Stat News. He stated that the funding will support research and development, manufacturing, and technology initiatives, and will contribute to expanding the company’s presence across the country. 

Trump Renews Drug-Making Push as Pharma Giants Chart Independent Course

Bristol Myers Squibb plans to invest USD$ 40 billion in U.S.-based research and development, technology, and manufacturing over the next five years. The plan also includes investment in areas such as radiopharmaceutical production and artificial intelligence. The initiative is expected to expand the company’s presence nationwide, strengthen its capacity for producing cancer-targeting radiopharmaceuticals, and enhance its capabilities in key innovation areas.

The decision places Bristol Myers Squibb alongside several major pharmaceutical companies that have recently announced increased domestic investments. Novartis has committed USD$ 23 billion, Eli Lilly USD$ 27 billion, Roche USD$ 50 billion, and Johnson & Johnson USD$ 55 billion. AbbVie also plans to invest more than USD$10 billion over the next decade.

The wave of domestic investment comes as former President Donald Trump renews calls to bring drug manufacturing back to the United States. His proposed trade policies, which include pharmaceutical tariffs, aim to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and strengthen domestic production. While the industry has announced substantial U.S. spending, companies like Bristol Myers Squibb have not explicitly aligned their strategies with the political agenda.

“We are motivated by the fact that our medicines can change the lives of patients,” Boerner said. “But that belief hinges on government policies that encourage highly risky investments and facilitate access. Right now, we have significant concerns that some potential policies surfacing in Washington could threaten the health of Americans and the U.S. economy.”

Trump Proposes Fast-Track FDA Approach to Boost U.S. Drug Production

To support his push for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, Trump has also pledged to streamline regulatory approvals for new drug production facilities. His campaign has criticized the Food and Drug Administration for what it describes as bureaucratic delays, and has proposed measures to fast-track facility inspections and approvals. The aim is to reduce the time and cost associated with launching U.S.-based manufacturing operations.

In line with that effort, Trump’s advisers have floated the idea of creating a special FDA task force focused on accelerating domestic infrastructure projects tied to critical drug production. Industry leaders have responded cautiously to these policy shifts. While some executives welcome regulatory efficiency, others have expressed concern about the risks of politicizing the FDA’s oversight role. For now, companies like Bristol Myers Squibb appear focused on long-term investment strategies that align with innovation and capacity-building, regardless of the changing political landscape.

Author

Denisse Sandoval