One of the Leading Biotech Clusters
Boasts a World-Class Talent Pool
Location and Living Environment Also Key Factors
Having secured a production base in the United States and thereby avoiding high pharmaceutical tariffs, Celltrion is being recognized for its advanced site selection strategy. The Branchburg plant in New Jersey, which Celltrion acquired, is not just a production facility but a strategic location regarded as the heart of a global pharmaceutical and biotech cluster.
The Heart of a Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Cluster
According to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry on October 2, Celltrion prioritized locational synergy over mere scale or facility sophistication during its acquisition of a U.S. plant. New Jersey is one of the world’s most densely concentrated pharmaceutical and biotech clusters, home to the headquarters, research and development (R&D) centers, and clinical and manufacturing facilities of global pharmaceutical giants. Fourteen of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies have key bases in New Jersey or the nearby areas of Pennsylvania and New York.
The Branchburg plant acquired by Celltrion is located in the heart of New Jersey, within a one- to two-hour radius of companies such as Pfizer (New York), Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick), Merck (Kenilworth), Bristol Myers Squibb (Princeton), Sanofi (Bridgewater), and Novartis (East Hanover). Proximity to these companies’ headquarters, R&D centers, and large-scale production complexes is seen as advantageous for joint development, technology collaboration, and rapid supply chain response.
The infrastructure is also outstanding. Within a 10-kilometer radius are suppliers of essential raw materials and equipment for pharmaceutical manufacturing, cold chain logistics companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and law firms and consulting firms specializing in biotech. Somerset County, where the plant is located, is one of the regions in the eastern United States with the lowest risk of natural disasters, with almost no risk of hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, allowing for the stable operation of high-value biopharmaceutical production lines.
World-Class Talent Pool...Poised to Become a Future R&D Hub
Princeton University, New Jersey, USA. Screenshot from Princeton University website
Another competitive edge of the New Jersey cluster is its world-class talent pool. The state is home to top universities in pharmacy, biotechnology, and medicine. For example, Rutgers University ranks among the top 10 pharmacy schools in the United States and is renowned for its industry-linked curriculum and production of practical talent. Nearby Princeton University enjoys a global reputation for its research in basic sciences and biotechnology convergence. In addition, four medical schools-including New Jersey Medical School, Cooper Medical School, and Seton Hall School of Medicine-and 13 affiliated hospitals are located in the area, creating a workforce ecosystem that connects basic research, clinical practice, and industry.
Celltrion expects to be able to secure R&D personnel and skilled production technicians stably in this environment. The company plans to use the New Jersey plant as a U.S. research hub to strengthen joint research with Korea and is considering establishing a local research lab near the plant. Through this, Celltrion aims to complete a global three-pillar production and R&D system spanning Incheon Songdo in Korea, New Jersey in the United States, and Europe (Hungary).
The living environment for employees was also an important factor. Branchburg is close to areas with large Korean communities, providing favorable living conditions for Korean expatriates. From the plant, it takes about 30 minutes by car to Edison, New Jersey, and about one hour to Manhattan, New York. The New York-New Jersey area is also well equipped with international schools, Korean grocery stores, and medical infrastructure, making long-term stays convenient for staff and their families.
Completion of a Global Independent Production System...Proactively Addressing Tariff Risks
With this acquisition, Celltrion has gone beyond simply securing a U.S. production facility to simultaneously addressing tariff avoidance, supply chain independence, and global customer responsiveness. As President Donald Trump continues to pressure pharmaceutical and biotech companies that do not build plants in the United States with tariffs, Celltrion has proactively resolved policy risks by establishing a substantial manufacturing and R&D base in the country.
Industry insiders and observers view the acquisition of the Branchburg plant as the completion of Celltrion’s global independent production system. With supply chain responsiveness at the level of a “mega CDMO” in the global market, there is also growing attention to the potential for joint production and technology transfer partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies. A Celltrion representative stated, “New Jersey is a global biotech cluster and the optimal location for building a collaborative network with global pharmaceutical giants. The region has a well-established virtuous cycle of talent supply, supply chain stability, and innovation investment, making it highly competitive from a long-term perspective.” The representative added, “We plan to gradually expand local production in the United States and increase the share of finished pharmaceutical products supplied within the country to accelerate our penetration of the North American market.”
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