HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, broke ground Monday on a $750 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Hillsboro, advancing plans announced in August to increase capacity for advanced drug delivery devices and to strengthen the company’s U.S. manufacturing capabilities.

The event marks the start of construction for the 211,000-square-feet expansion, doubling the size of the existing site. Commercial operations are planned to begin in 2031, the company said in a news release Monday that continues in full below, followed by one from Governor Tina Kotek:

Once operational, the expanded facility will add device fill-finish capabilities, including the manufacturing of combination products, to Genentech’s U.S. manufacturing network.

With flexible high- and low-volume filling capabilities, the site is designed to manufacture a broad range of medicines across oncology, neurology and immunology. This added capacity will help strengthen Genentech’s domestic supply chain and support reliable access to medicines for patients.

The expansion will create approximately 250 high-wage manufacturing jobs. Over the coming years, Genentech will recruit for specialized roles across filling and inspection, device assembly and packaging, cold storage, and quality control.

These roles will pair traditional manufacturing expertise with digital skills in AI, automation and robotics, creating a modern workforce equipped to drive innovation in precision manufacturing. Construction of the facility will also support approximately 200 additional construction jobs.

Genentech established its Hillsboro campus in 2006. Today, the 75-acre campus is an important part of the company’s manufacturing network, with capabilities spanning drug product manufacturing, packaging, distribution and individualized therapies.

The decision to expand in Hillsboro reflects Genentech’s continued confidence in the area’s experienced workforce, established infrastructure and manufacturing expertise, as well as the company’s longstanding partnership with the Hillsboro community and the state of Oregon.

The expansion is part of Roche and Genentech’s investment commitment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D and builds on recent manufacturing and investment milestones in Holly Springs, North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts. Together, these investments expand an end-to-end U.S. footprint spanning research, development and manufacturing and reflect the companies’ long-term commitment to American scientific innovation.

Roche and Genentech have approximately 25,000 employees in the U.S., with 15 R&D centers and 13 manufacturing sites.

Genentech CEO Ashley Magargee:

“Breaking ground in Hillsboro turns our commitment into action. For 20 years, the talented team here has played an important role in manufacturing and delivering medicines for patients, and this expansion builds on that strong foundation. As construction begins we are one step closer to bringing device fill-finish manufacturing to Hillsboro, strengthening our domestic supply chain and investing in the people and infrastructure that will help us deliver the medicines of the future.”

Susanne Hundsbaek-Pedersen, Roche EVP of Pharma Technical Operations:

“The medicines in our pipeline increasingly include devices that improve delivery convenience and our manufacturing network is evolving to service these requirements. This manufacturing expansion in Hillsboro will add capabilities that our future portfolio will need, along with the flexibility to adapt as patient needs change. The site will feature advanced digital technology, AI, automation, and robotics to optimize production, as well as an exact digital twin for real-time monitoring and continuous improvement. Combined with the expertise already on this site, it will strengthen how we supply medicines across our global network.”

Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon:

“Today, we’re seeing a major investment in Oregon move from plans on paper to breaking ground. Genentech’s continued growth in Hillsboro demonstrates the strength of Oregon’s workforce and our ability to support advanced manufacturing that is important to both our state and the country. This project will create new opportunities for Oregonians while strengthening Hillsboro’s role in the future of U.S. medicine manufacturing.”

Beach Pace, Mayor of Hillsboro:

“Today’s groundbreaking is an exciting moment for Hillsboro and a sign of what’s ahead for our city. Projects of this scale are made possible by strong partnerships across the community, from the people who will build this facility to the local organizations and institutions that support a skilled workforce that will staff the facility, and of course, between the City of Hillsboro and Genentech. We look forward to this next chapter taking shape and continuing to build Hillsboro’s and Genentech’s future together.”

About Genentech

Founded 50 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

News release from Gov. Tina Kotek's office:

Governor Kotek Joins Genentech in Breaking Ground on New Facility in Hillsboro 

Expanded biotech manufacturing facility to create approximately 450 high-wage manufacturing and construction jobs

Hillsboro, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek joined Genentech, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, to announce the start of construction on a $750 million expansion of its advanced manufacturing facility in Hillsboro.

The expansion will create approximately 250 high-wage manufacturing jobs and 200 construction jobs over the duration of the project. The project strengthens regional economic growth and bolsters Oregon’s established and growing life sciences and advanced manufacturing industries.

“Today, we’re seeing a major investment in Oregon move from plans on paper to breaking ground,” Governor Kotek said. “Genentech’s continued growth in Hillsboro demonstrates the strength of Oregon’s workforce and our ability to support advanced manufacturing that is important to both our state and the country. This project will create new opportunities for Oregonians while strengthening Hillsboro’s role in the future of U.S. medicine manufacturing.”

The new facility expands Genentech’s operations in Hillsboro, where the site has contributed 20 years of innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Once operational, the expanded facility will add device fill-finish capabilities, including the manufacturing of combination products, to Genentech’s U.S. manufacturing network.

With flexible high- and low-volume filling capabilities, the site is designed to manufacture a broad range of medicines across oncology, neurology, and immunology.

The new facility is expected to begin commercial operations in 2031. The decision to expand in Hillsboro reflects Genentech’s confidence in the area’s experienced workforce, established infrastructure, and manufacturing expertise, as well as the company’s longstanding partnership with the Hillsboro community and the State of Oregon.

To secure this project, the Governor’s Office worked closely with Business Oregon throughout a year-long effort, making the case that Oregon is the right location for Genentech’s expansion.

This announcement follows Governor Kotek’s recent participation in the BIO International Convention (BIO) in San Diego, the world’s largest biotechnology gathering, where she spoke on two panels to showcase Oregon’s strengths and met with life sciences companies to identify new opportunities for investment.

Oregon is a national leader in the life sciences sector, with major firms like Genentech, Thermo Fisher, and Lonza maintaining significant presence in the state. In 2023, the sector generated $21.2 billion in total economic impact, supported nearly 75,000 jobs and 2,500 businesses statewide, and contributed $5.6 billion in exports – reflecting the state’s growing global leadership in bioscience innovation.

This expansion marks tangible progress on the Governor’s Prosperity Roadmap, unveiled in December 2025 to achieve three broad goals: retain and grow Oregon businesses, catalyze job creation, and accelerate Oregon’s economic growth.

Since launching the strategy, Governor Kotek has passed legislation to catalyze business growth, established the Prosperity Council to advise on long-term economic strategies, and launched a global trade desk to support businesses looking to grow in Oregon.

To learn more about Genentech’s announcement and what it means for the Hillsboro community, click here. For photos from the groundbreaking, click here.