AbbVie is investing more than approximately $161.7 million to expand its research and development presence in Oxford, England, adding a new facility focused on drug discovery in immunology, neuroscience and oncology. The 12,000-square-foot site, named AbbVie Oxford, will build on the company’s existing research capabilities in the region and incorporate technology obtained through its 2022 acquisition of Oxford-based DJS Antibodies. That acquisition brought transmembrane protein-targeting capabilities into AbbVie’s discovery portfolio.

Jon Sedgwick, AbbVie’s global head of drug discovery, says the expanded Oxford operation will help the company draw more closely on the region’s academic, clinical and scientific expertise. He highlighted the company’s emphasis on human biology and reverse translational research to identify disease targets and potential drug combinations.

AbbVie’s collaboration with the University of Oxford includes research into how patients with certain inflammatory diseases respond to treatment over time. The work is intended to generate insights that can inform the development of future therapies.

Kelly Sanderson Schrems, general manager of AbbVie UK, says the country’s ability to attract continued pharmaceutical investment will depend in part on maintaining a balance between access to innovative medicines, uptake of new treatments and a strong research environment.

The investment comes amid a period of uncertainty surrounding the UK’s attractiveness as a pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing destination. In 2025, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., Eli Lilly and Sanofi announced pauses or withdrawals involving UK investment plans, citing concerns about the country’s pricing and reimbursement framework. Subsequent policy changes and discussions between the UK and U.S. governments helped prompt AstraZeneca to resume previously paused investment plans, although the positions of other companies have remained less clear.

The UK life sciences landscape is also evolving as companies reassess where to locate research operations. GSK recently announced plans to relocate its R&D headquarters from Stevenage to Cambridge, another major center within the country’s life sciences cluster.

AbbVie’s expansion adds to Oxford’s role in the UK’s life sciences Golden Triangle, which also encompasses London and Cambridge. The region brings together pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology businesses, universities and research institutions.

The company’s latest financial results provide additional context for the investment. AbbVie reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $17.4 billion, a 10% increase from the same period a year earlier, and raised its full-year adjusted earnings-per-share guidance to a range of $13.95 to $13.99.

Its immunology business generated $9.17 billion in quarterly revenue, up 16.3% year over year. Growth was led by Skyrizi, which recorded sales of $5.78 billion, and Rinvoq, which generated $2.71 billion. The performance helped offset continued declines in Humira revenue, which fell 31.2% to $683 million amid biosimilar competition.

AbbVie’s neuroscience business also posted growth, with revenue increasing 19.4% to $3.39 billion. Oncology revenue rose 0.8%, while the aesthetics business declined 1.4%.

For more information, visit www.abbvie.com.