AbbVie breaks ground on a new central research building, “LUnA” (LUdwighafens neue Arbeitswelt) and is investing approximately €150 million in its second largest R&D location worldwide.
A state-of-the-art research and laboratory building is being built on the main campus and will be home to more than 300 researchers and scientists. The facility will be built with modern and sustainable infrastructure features, creating flexible working conditions that enable greater scientific exchange between different areas of research and implement automation and digital research capabilities.
“For AbbVie Germany, the new construction of our ‘LUnA’ research building is much more than a €150 million investment in cutting-edge infrastructure. It is a promise for the future of AbbVie science and innovation. We are creating attractive working conditions for our top scientists and attracting new talent so that we can conduct cutting-edge research at our site in the long term,” explains Martin Gastens,
“The German state of Rhineland-Palatinate is on track to become one of the leading hubs for biotechnology and life sciences. We support research, promote its translation, and continue expanding the footprint. As the Government of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate, we are proud of this additional investment made by AbbVie, and the trust which yet another large pharmaceutical company has placed in our state.” said Rhineland Palatinate’s Minister President Malu Dreyer.
“Our Ludwigshafen site serves as a center of excellence for both research and development and pharmaceutical manufacturing and will play a critical role in AbbVie’s future growth,” said Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief operations officer. “This new expansion represents the proud continuation of our decades-long partnership with Germany – where we have invested approximately €250 million euros since 2020.”
“LUnA will offer our researchers in Ludwigshafen the most modern working conditions and, thanks to its structure, will further strengthen scientific exchange between different areas of research,” explains Thomas Hudson, MD, senior vice president, global research, chief scientific officer, AbbVie. “I am particularly looking forward to seeing how we will further develop the future of laboratory automation and digital research in Ludwigshafen in our pursuit of discovering and developing breakthrough medicines for patients.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Rhineland Palatinate Minister President Malu Dreyer; Mario Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research in Germany; Jutta Steinruck, Lord Mayor of the City of Ludwigshafen, as well as global AbbVie representatives. The research building is expected to be completed in 2027.
