UCB Farchim Invests Over CHF 100 Million and Creates 80 New Jobs in Bulle
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UCB Farchim, the Swiss subsidiary of Belgian biopharmaceutical group UCB, has announced a major new phase of development for its Bulle (Fribourg) site, with more than CHF 100 million in new investments and the creation of 80 additional jobs by 2030.
Since opening in 1996, UCB has invested nearly CHF 700 million in its Gruyère facility, which today employs 760 people. This new expansion underscores the company’s long-term commitment to Switzerland and its strategic importance within UCB’s global network.
At the heart of the project is the construction of a new production unit dedicated to manufacturing a key chemical compound used in the development of biologic medicines produced on site. “This compound has been manufactured in Belgium for several years. Relocating production to Bulle simplifies logistics, as it will now be produced directly where it is used,” explains Fabrice Véricel, Director of UCB Farchim.
Pending regulatory approval, the new line is expected to be operational by 2029, reaching full production capacity in 2030. Recruitment for the new positions will ramp up from 2028 onward.
The new compound plays a critical role in Cimzia, one of UCB’s flagship drugs for chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, and will also support the production of a future lupus treatment.
Additional investments include a new biological quality control laboratory (CHF 15 million), expected by mid-2026, and a new cold production unit (CHF 10 million) to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Globally, UCB employs over 9,000 people and reported revenues of €6.2 billion in 2024. Alongside Bulle and Braine-l’Alleud (Belgium), the group operates production sites in Japan and will soon open a new facility in the United States, representing an additional €2 billion investment.
➡️ Source: UCB Farchim | 📸 © UCB Farchim