At a Glance
- Company: Novartis AG
- Location: San Diego, California, USA
- Deal value: Part of a USD 23bn US investment; 466,000 sq ft; ~1,000 employees
- Focus area: End‑to‑end drug discovery in neuroscience, oncology, global health, ageing/regenerative medicine, plus advanced modalities
- Next steps: Construction now underway; site expected to be operational in 2029
What happened?
Novartis has broken ground on a new global Biomedical Research center in San Diego, designed as a state‑of‑the‑art hub for end‑to‑end drug discovery. The approximately 466,000‑square‑foot facility, due to open in 2029, is expected to house about 1,000 employees and to integrate tightly with existing research sites in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Basel, Switzerland.
Why does it matter?
The center is intended to strengthen Novartis’ scientific leadership and accelerate the discovery of “transformative medicines” by concentrating discovery activities in one of the world’s most mature life‑sciences clusters. With AI, data and computational capabilities embedded throughout, the site will support genetics‑ and human‑biology‑driven research across neuroscience, oncology, global health, age‑related disease and regenerative medicine, as well as next‑generation platforms like gene and cell therapies, RNA medicines, biologics and targeted protein degradation.
Who’s behind it?
The initiative is led by Novartis Biomedical Research, under President Fiona Marshall, with local oversight from Thierry Diagana, California Sites Head and Global Head of Global Health, Biomedical Research. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined Novartis and community partners for the groundbreaking, highlighting the project’s role in cementing the region’s status as a global life‑sciences hub and creator of high‑quality jobs.
How was it achieved?
The new San Diego facility builds on more than 25 years of Novartis R&D in the region and will operate as part of a globally networked research model, sharing insights and capabilities with Cambridge and Basel to speed programmes from discovery toward the clinic. The project forms a key pillar of Novartis’ broader USD 23 billion US investment plan, which also includes a flagship manufacturing hub in North Carolina, a new radioligand therapy (RLT) plant in Carlsbad, California, expansions in Indiana and New Jersey, and planned RLT facilities in Florida and Texas.
What’s next?
As construction progresses, Novartis will refine the site’s scientific footprint, staffing plans and collaborative frameworks with academic, biotech and technology partners across San Diego. Once operational, the center is expected to serve as a major engine for AI‑enabled discovery and advanced‑modality development, with the goal of translating human‑biology insights into medicines for millions of patients worldwide.
What are people saying?
Fiona Marshall described the center as “designed to power future drug discovery” and to deepen Novartis’ connectivity with biotech, academic and technology partners across the region. Mayor Todd Gloria said the investment “reinforces San Diego as a place where breakthrough science happens and where innovation translates into high‑quality jobs and life‑changing medicines.”