Bracco will establish its first US manufacturing facility with a $230m investment in a sterile injectable contrast media site in Sanford, North Carolina.

The Italian diagnostic imaging company expects the sterile plant to generate 200 jobs across manufacturing, engineering, technical operations, quality assurance, warehousing, and administration.

The local region is estimated to see an annual payroll impact exceeding $20.6m from the newly created posts.

Bracco Imaging Operations USA will receive backing for the project through a 12-year job development investment grant (JDIG), which has been approved by North Carolina’s Economic Investment Committee.

The investment is forecast to contribute $1.78bn to the economy of North Carolina during the grant term.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said: “I am pleased to welcome Bracco and its investment to North Carolina. Our longstanding strengths in manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development have created a robust ecosystem that gives companies like Bracco the confidence to invest here.” 

The US represents the company’s largest market.

The Sanford development marks the company's first direct production footprint in the US, supplementing operational manufacturing facilities across Europe, Asia, and Canada.

Bracco Imaging vice chairman and CEO Fulvio Renoldi Bracco said: “Producing injectable contrast media here in Sanford brings our supply closer to American hospitals and patients and makes it even more resilient. We chose North Carolina for its talent and life sciences ecosystem.”

Established in 1927, Bracco Imaging produces and distributes diagnostic imaging equipment, contrast agents, medical devices, and related services internationally.