Oregon – Bend’s newest manufacturing project is being built around a technology most patients will never see, but one designed to help medicines work more effectively once they are taken. Lonza has broken ground on a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that will expand a scientific operation with roots in Central Oregon stretching back nearly half a century.
The expansion also comes with a sizable jobs footprint. More than 80 permanent, high-wage positions are expected to be created, while roughly 650 construction jobs are projected over the life of the project, according to the Governor’s Office. The facility is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Gov. Tina Kotek joined Lonza leaders in Bend for the start of construction.
“Oregon is a leader in scientific innovation and advanced manufacturing, and this project is poised to build on that continued success,” Kotek said.
The project will expand Lonza’s spray-drying operations in Bend. The technology converts liquid pharmaceutical formulations into carefully engineered powders and can help improve how certain medicines are absorbed by the body. Lonza said the new commercial-scale facility will include two PSD-4 spray-drying units and supporting infrastructure.
Bend is already an important part of the company’s pharmaceutical development network. The site has contributed to the evaluation or development of more than 2,000 potential medicines and works with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from early research through commercial manufacturing.
State and local incentives are also part of the expansion. Bend is the first Oregon local government to use expanded incentives enabled through House Bill 4084, a 2026 economic development measure requested by Kotek that included changes to state economic development programs.
The Governor’s Office and Business Oregon worked for about a year on efforts to secure the expansion. The state also plans a $1.6 million investment from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund to help with initial capital and equipment expenses, with final contract terms still being negotiated.
The project fits into Kotek’s broader Prosperity Roadmap, introduced in December 2025 around business retention, job creation and economic growth. The administration says Oregon’s life sciences sector generated $21.2 billion in economic impact in 2023, supported nearly 75,000 jobs and about 2,500 businesses, and accounted for $5.6 billion in exports.
