Bracco announced it will invest $230 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility for injectable contrast media in Sanford, North Carolina.
The investment by the diagnostic imaging company is expected to create 200 jobs, expand production capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience in the United States, according to Bracco.
The new sterile manufacturing facility will support the company’s established production operations across Europe, Asia and Canada, growing and diversifying its manufacturing network.
“With additional sterile manufacturing capacity in the United States, Bracco will be better positioned to meet growing demand, respond to customer needs, and support reliable access to injectable contrast media used in diagnostic imaging,” the company said in a release.
Bracco’s plans to expand its manufacturing capacity into the U.S., its largest market, will help the company better compete with major diagnostics companies with established facilities in the country, including GE HealthCare, Philips and United Imaging Healthcare.
Bracco selected Sanford, North Carolina, for its skilled workforce, established life sciences ecosystem, and supportive environment for advanced manufacturing.
Those 200 jobs are expected across manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, quality, warehousing and administrative functions.
"For almost 100 years, Bracco has been guided by one purpose: improving people's lives. The United States is our largest market and home to many of the patients we serve," said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Bracco Imaging, in a statement.
"Producing injectable contrast media here in Sanford brings our supply closer to American hospitals and patients and makes it even more resilient."