Pharma Firms Invest US$643M to Expand in Mexico

The Mexican government announced over MX$12 billion (US$643.4 million) in new pharmaceutical investments aimed at expanding clinical research, manufacturing, and technological capacity. These investments follow Mexico’s actions to position the country as a regional hub for medical innovation, say authorities.

At today’s press conference, David Kershenobich, Ministry of Health, said that the commitment from both international and national firms reflects investor confidence in the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum and in Mexico's strategic potential in the healthcare sector.

“These investments will strengthen the country’s health sovereignty, boost local production of essential medicines, modernize infrastructure, and promote exports,” says Kershenobich.

The move follows the cancellation of an international public tender for the 2025–2026 procurement of medicines and medical supplies, reports El Economista. The Ministry for Anti-Corruption and Good Governance annulled the process after identifying irregularities involving the state-owned firm Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México (Birmex). The tender process will be restarted.

According to government estimates, the announced investments will generate over 3,000 direct jobs requiring specialized skills and more than 20,000 indirect jobs in multiple regions.

Among the projects, Boehringer Ingelheim will invest MX$3.5 billion (US$187.5 million) to expand its manufacturing site in Xochimilco, Mexico City, making it the company’s largest global plant for tablet production. The site will manufacture 5 billion tablets annually for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, with exports planned to over 40 countries. The expansion is expected to create 1,800 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs, according to company representative Juan Augusto Muench.

German multinational Bayer will invest MX$3 billion (US$160.8 million) over the next five years to expand its footprint in Mexico. This includes the enlargement of its active ingredient plant in Veracruz, which supplies markets in the European Union and the United States, and the upgrade of its pharmaceutical facility in the State of Mexico. The company will also increase investment in agricultural technologies at its plant in Tlaxcala, which exports biological fungicides to more than 100 countries. Bayer plans to triple its clinical research spending in Mexico, citing increased regulatory collaboration with COFEPRIS.

AstraZeneca will allocate over MX$2 billion (US$107.2 million) across three initiatives: expanding clinical research partnerships with institutions such as UNAM, IPN and IMSS; upgrading its digital services center; and modernizing its production facility in the State of Mexico. The British company anticipates generating 600 direct and 6,500 indirect jobs, said Julio Ordaz, Representative in Mexico, Astra Zeneca. 

AstraZeneca’s firm Carnot Laboratorios plans to invest MX$3.5 billion (US$187.5 million) in a new pharmaceutical and biotech plant in Hidalgo, which focuses on exports to over 30 countries. The project will create 600 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs. “Carnot believes in the talent and the future of Mexico, and this investment is proof of that,” says Edmundo Jiménez, Company Executive, Carnot Laboratorios. 

Marcelo Ebrard, Ministry of Economy, writes on X that the investment wave follows a directive from President Sheinbaum to increase the country’s healthcare self-sufficiency and preparedness for future pandemics.