Capitalising on CapEx Investments in the Pharmaceutical Sector in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and France

Key Takeaways: 

• Pharmaceutical CapEx investments in Europe are accelerating due to factors such as increased R&D focus, government incentives, supply chain resilience and sustainability demands. 
• CapEx projects are underway across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and France, with billions invested in advanced manufacturing and research facilities. 
• High demand for specialised life sciences talent is creating workforce challenges, particularly in project management, automation, process engineering and regulatory compliance. 
• NES Fircroft provides services in pharmaceutical talent acquisition in Europe to bridge skills gaps and support companies in scaling their CapEx-driven growth. 

Why is Pharmaceutical Infrastructure Investment Accelerating in Europe?

The European pharmaceutical sector is experiencing a surge in capital expenditure (CapEx), driven by several key factors: 

• R&D expansion: With increasing demand for biologics, mRNA vaccines, personalised medicine etc, companies are investing heavily in next-generation research centres. 
• Supply chain resilience: Post-pandemic, firms are looking towards more regional self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing. 
• Government incentives: Countries like Ireland and Germany offer tax breaks and grants to attract pharmaceutical investment, which brings in billions to national economies. 
• Regulatory pressures: Stricter quality and safety compliance standards globally are driving the need for modernised facilities with advanced manufacturing systems.
• Sustainability ambitions: Investment in sustainable practices is increasing, similar to many other industries, as part of a global commitment to acting on climate change. 

Of the top 10 healthcare companies in the world in 2021 (by revenue), seven were located in Europe. Currently, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and France are focal points due to their strong research environments and skilled workforces. 

What are the Latest CapEx Projects in the European Pharmaceutical Sector?

1. UK: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Expansion

• Investment: £300 million
• Focus: Campus expansion and build-out of 440,000 ft² of laboratory, advanced manufacturing and office space for world-leading research

The 700-acre Harwell campus is the UK’s science and innovation hub, comprising over 250 organisations and £3 billion of national facilities. The investment is being provided by a consortium comprising Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas and Axa.

2. Ireland: Pfizer’s Grange Castle Expansion

• Investment: €1.2 billion
• Focus: New manufacturing and laboratory facilities “to support the next wave of medical innovations”, doubling the capacity for biological drug manufacturing
• Completion: 2027
• Workforce demand: 400–500 high-skilled manufacturing and laboratory roles

The pharmaceutical CapEx investment will boost Pfizer’s capacity for licensed and pipeline products in oncology, rare disease, inflammation and immunology, and internal medicines.

This project follows a €40 million investment in the site in 2021 relating to the Global Pfizer COVID-19 manufacturing network. 

3. Germany: Merck’s Advanced Research Centre

• Investment: €300 million
• Focus: A new research centre for manufacturing antibodies, mRNA applications and additional products required for biotechnological production
• Completion: 2027 
• Workforce demand: Around 550 jobs in manufacturing and laboratory research

The new building is part of an investment programme worth €1.5 billion by 2025 at Merck’s global headquarters in Darmstadt. Globally, Merck has announced more than €2 billion of pharmaceutical investment since 2020. 

4. Switzerland: CordenPharma’s Peptide Manufacturing Facility

• Investment: €500+ million 
• Focus: A greenfield site for small to large-scale peptide development and manufacturing
• Completion: 2028
• Workforce demand: 300+ roles in chemical engineering, automation, digitalisation and compliance

The site near Basel offers numerous benefits including: efficient and sustainable infrastructure, optimal logistics, established large-scale utilities already in place, and access to highly skilled professionals.

This project is part of CordenPharma’s plans to invest €1+ billion over the next 3 years in facilities across Europe and the US, confirming its position as one of the largest peptide manufacturing partners.

5. France: Sanofi’s New Vaccine Site in Neuville-sur-Saône

• Investment: €500 million
• Focus: The world’s first modular production plant for vaccines and biological medicines, focusing on live attenuated viral vaccines and mRNA 
• Completion: End of 2025
• Workforce demand: 200 high-value jobs

Once completed, the modular plant can be adapted to manufacture up to four vaccines or biomedicines simultaneously, as well as being reconfigurable within a few days or weeks to change technological platform. In conventional facilities, this process can take months or even years.

What Technical and Engineering Roles are Most in Demand?

The rapid expansion of pharmaceutical CapEx investments has created demand for skilled professionals in several key areas: 

• QVC specialists:
  • Commissioning: This is the systematic process of installing, testing, and verifying that new equipment, utilities, and systems are operating according to their design specifications.
  • Qualification: In this phase, documented evidence is created to prove that the equipment and systems are correctly installed, function as expected, and meet the necessary performance criteria for their intended use.
  • Validation: This is the final and broadest step, which provides documented proof that an entire manufacturing process consistently produces a product that meets its predetermined quality and safety standards.
• Project managers: Essential for initial feasibility studies right through to execution and handover. 
• Sustainability professionals: With expertise in areas such as green building designs, waste management and energy recycling.
• Regulatory and compliance experts: Ensuring adherence to GMP, EMA, FDA and MHRA standards. 
• Financial analysts: Vital to manage CapEx, ensure financial accuracy and support strategic decision-making.
• Process engineers: Critical for scaling up pharmaceutical manufacturing. 
• Automation and AI specialists: Needed to integrate smart manufacturing systems. 
• Bioprocessing technicians: In high demand for upstream/downstream processing skills. 

As a consequence of the growth in demand, many European pharmaceutical companies are struggling to find qualified workers, leading to project delays. So, companies need to adopt proactive recruitment strategies, including upskilling programmes and international talent acquisition. 

What Makes NES Fircroft a Trusted Partner for CapEx Talent Sourcing?

NES Fircroft specialises in recruitment for life sciences CapEx projects, as well as recruitment for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Our aim is to help companies with their pharmaceutical talent acquisition in Europe, including Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and France. 

Our unparalleled expertise, extensive global network and industry-specific knowledge mean that we can help you source professionals for a wide variety of projects. This includes: greenfield, brownfield, expansion, retrofit, equipment upgrades, tech transfers and remediation.

We also offer comprehensive support across the entire project life-cycle, from the initial concept through to project completion.

Get in Touch

With pharmaceutical CapEx investments accelerating, securing the right talent is becoming increasingly difficult. NES Fircroft provides the expertise to help you navigate this competitive marketplace efficiently. 

To discuss how we can support your pharmaceutical talent acquisition in Europe, contact us today.