AstraZeneca unveils $50bn US investment as pharma tariff threat looms
Date: 2025-07-22T05:57:26.000Z
Title: AstraZeneca's new US investment plans
Content: Here's where AstraZeneca plans to spend its $50bn:
Expansion of its R&D facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland
State-of-the-art R&D centre in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Next-generation manufacturing facilities for cell therapy in Rockville, Maryland and Tarzana, California
Continuous manufacturing expansion in Mount Vernon, Indiana
Specialty manufacturing expansion in Coppell, Texas
New sites to supply clinical trials
Update:
Date: 2025-07-22T05:56:04.000Z
Title: Introduction: AstraZeneca unveils $50bn US investment
Content: Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
AstraZeneca has become the latest multinational company to announce a major investment in the US since Donald Trump began his trade wars.
AstraZeneca announced last night it will invest $50bn in the US by 2030, building new manufacturing facilities and expanding existing sites.
It says the plan – which has the seal of approval from the White House – will create tens of thousands of new, highly skilled direct and indirect jobs across America. It could also help AstraZeneca to reach a point where half its revenues are generated in the US.
The plan includes building a new drug substance facility in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which will produce small molecules, peptides and oligonucleotides. That would be AstraZeneca's largest single manufacturing investment in the world.
The move comes as the pharmaceuticals industry braces for Trump to impose new tariffs on their wares entering the US, possibly as soon as 1 August.
Pascal Soriot, chief executive officer at AstraZeneca, says:
'Today's announcement underpins our belief in America's innovation in biopharmaceuticals and our commitment to the millions of patients who need our medicines in America and globally. It will also support our ambition to reach $80 billion in revenue by 2030.'
This investment splurge also comes amid reports that Soriot has been considering shifting AstraZeneca's stock market listing from the UK to the US. AstraZeneca is currently the second most valuable company on the London stock exchange, shortly behind HSBC.
Howard Lutnick, US Secretary of Commerce, has welcomed the plan, saying:
'For decades Americans have been reliant on foreign supply of key pharmaceutical products. President Trump and our nation's new tariff policies are focused on ending this structural weakness.
We are proud that AstraZeneca has made the decision to bring substantial pharmaceutical production to our shores. This historic investment is bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the US and will ensure medicine sold in our country is produced right here.'
7am BST: UK public finances for June
10.15am BST: Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey to be grilled by Treasury committee MPs about financial deregulation
1.30pm BST: Fed chair Jerome Powell speech at the Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference, Washington, D.C.
2pm BST: Rachel Reeves to appear before Lords economics affairs committee
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geeky Gadgets
4 minutes ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Create Stunning Product Ads in Minutes with AI : No Design Skills Needed
Have you ever wished you could create stunning, professional-grade product ads without spending hours behind a camera or shelling out for expensive design software? Here's the fantastic option: with advancements in artificial intelligence, you can now produce polished, eye-catching visuals in just minutes. Yes, minutes. Imagine uploading a simple photo of your product and watching AI transform it into a sleek, market-ready ad that looks like it came straight from a high-end studio. This isn't just a time-saver; it's a creative revolution. Whether you're a small business owner, a social media marketer, or an e-commerce entrepreneur, the ability to craft high-quality ads quickly and affordably is a powerful tool for leveling the playing field. Corbin Brown walks you through how to harness AI tools like Runway to create customized product ads that align with your brand's identity and marketing goals. You'll discover how to take a simple product photo and, with just a few clicks, transform it into visuals tailored for platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, or your website. From defining your aesthetic vision to experimenting with dynamic backgrounds, this guide will show you how to unlock creativity without technical barriers. Whether you're looking to save time, cut costs, or simply elevate your marketing game, this process offers a glimpse into the future of advertising—one where innovation meets accessibility. AI-Powered Product Ad Creation Transforming Product Photography with AI AI has transformed product photography by allowing you to convert simple images into professional-grade marketing visuals. Start by capturing a clear photo of your product, ideally against a plain, uncluttered background. Upload this image to an AI platform like Runway, where you can use prompts to define the desired aesthetic. For example, you might specify lighting conditions, background themes, or stylistic effects that align with your brand's identity. These tools offer exceptional flexibility. Whether you need a clean, studio-style image, a vibrant outdoor setting, or a bold and dramatic color palette, AI can generate visuals tailored to your specific marketing goals. This adaptability ensures your ads resonate with your target audience while maintaining a cohesive and professional appearance. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating AI-Generated Ads Creating AI-powered product ads is a straightforward and efficient process. Follow these steps to get started: Capture a photo: Take a clear, high-resolution image of your product against a simple background to ensure the AI has a clean base to work with. Take a clear, high-resolution image of your product against a simple background to ensure the AI has a clean base to work with. Upload to an AI tool: Use platforms like Runway to upload your image and access their suite of editing and enhancement features. Use platforms like Runway to upload your image and access their suite of editing and enhancement features. Define your vision: Input prompts to guide the AI. For example, specify 'bright natural lighting,' 'sleek modern backdrop,' or 'vibrant outdoor scene.' Input prompts to guide the AI. For example, specify 'bright natural lighting,' 'sleek modern backdrop,' or 'vibrant outdoor scene.' Experiment and refine: Test multiple prompts to explore different styles and select the output that best fits your brand and marketing objectives. This process not only saves time but also eliminates the need for costly equipment or professional photography services, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. By using AI, you can focus on creativity and strategy rather than technical execution. Easily Make AI Product Ads Quickly Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on AI design. Customizing Visuals for Marketing Platforms One of the most powerful features of AI tools is their ability to customize visuals for specific platforms and purposes. For instance, you can adjust image dimensions to fit the requirements of various platforms, such as Instagram posts (1:1), Facebook banners (16:9), or Pinterest pins. This ensures your visuals are optimized for maximum impact on each channel. AI tools also allow for dynamic background customization. Replace plain backdrops with settings that align with your product and audience. For example: A pet product could feature a lively park scene with pets in action. A luxury item might benefit from a sleek, minimalist studio environment. A fitness product could be showcased in an energetic gym setting. These adjustments help create a cohesive and visually appealing brand identity across all marketing channels, making sure your ads stand out and effectively engage your audience. Enhancing Visuals with Post-Editing While AI tools generate high-quality visuals, post-editing can further refine your product ads. Software like Photoshop or Figma allows you to add finishing touches, such as text overlays, color adjustments, or minor corrections. For example: Add promotional messaging, such as discounts or limited-time offers, directly onto the image. Align the visuals with your brand's color palette to maintain consistency across campaigns. Incorporate design elements like logos or call-to-action buttons to enhance engagement. These final adjustments ensure your product ads are polished, professional, and ready for publication, helping you make a lasting impression on your audience. Applications Across Marketing Channels AI-generated visuals are versatile and can be applied across a wide range of marketing platforms. Here are some common use cases where these tools can make a significant impact: E-commerce: Create consistent, professional product listings for online stores, making sure your products look appealing and trustworthy. Create consistent, professional product listings for online stores, making sure your products look appealing and trustworthy. Social media: Design platform-optimized posts for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or TikTok to engage your audience effectively. Design platform-optimized posts for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or TikTok to engage your audience effectively. Placeholder images: Generate visuals for products not yet available for traditional photography, allowing you to market them ahead of time. Generate visuals for products not yet available for traditional photography, allowing you to market them ahead of time. Website banners: Produce customized promotional assets for your website, such as hero images or seasonal campaign banners. By using AI, you can maintain brand consistency while reducing the time and cost associated with traditional photography. This versatility ensures your marketing efforts remain efficient and impactful across all channels. Efficiency and Precision in AI Tools AI tools like Runway excel in delivering both efficiency and precision, making them invaluable for modern marketing. For example, if your product packaging includes intricate details or text, the AI can replicate these elements with remarkable accuracy. This ensures your visuals maintain brand integrity, which is especially critical for e-commerce and advertising. The speed of AI tools is another significant advantage. You can produce high-quality visuals in minutes, allowing quicker turnaround times for marketing campaigns. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that need to respond rapidly to market trends, seasonal demands, or promotional opportunities. By streamlining the creative process, AI allows you to focus on strategy and execution rather than production. Elevating Your Marketing with AI AI tools have fundamentally reshaped the way product ads are created, offering a fast, accessible, and cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. By combining customizable prompts, advanced image enhancement, and post-editing options, you can produce professional-grade visuals tailored to your marketing needs. Whether you're designing e-commerce listings, social media posts, or promotional banners, AI ensures consistency, precision, and efficiency. Embrace these tools to streamline your workflow, reduce costs, and elevate your brand's visual identity across all platforms. Media Credit: Corbin Brown Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Vermont engineer revives pay phones for free calls in areas with poor cell service
An electrical engineer by trade, Patrick Schlott has spent countless hours tinkering with new and old technology. But it wasn't until he found himself living in rural Vermont that he realized his penchant for repairing old pay phones could provide a public service. 'I realized, wow, there's no cell service for 10 miles (16 kilometers) in either direction,' he said. 'The community could really benefit from something like this.' Schlott, a full-time engineer at electric airplane manufacturing company BETA Technologies, decided to approach the owners of his local general store with the idea to install old pay phones around town and make them free for public use. After he explained that there would be no cost to the host, North Tunbridge General Store owners Mike and Lois Gross let Schlott install his first phone outside the store. 'Everyone's pretty surprised, and they're like, 'Is that a real payphone? Does that really work?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, but it doesn't cost any money now,'" said store owner Mike Gross. "We've had people use it that broke down. It's a great thing because service is so spotty in Vermont.' The first free public phone installation was Schlott's idea, but he says the two other locations, the Latham Library in Thetford and inside an informational booth in Randolph off Interstate 89, came from community members requesting the service. 'All the other phones so far have been people reaching out, which is pretty cool,' he said. Schlott buys the old pay phones, which can range in cost from $100-$500, at flea markets, from internet listings or at auction and fixes them up in his basement workshop. All that's needed to install one of his phones is an internet connection — no coins necessary. 'Basically, there's a small piece of equipment that converts an internet telephone line to an analog line that these phones can operate off of,' he said. Along with covering the costs, which are about $2-$3 a month for each phone line and less than $5 a month for calls, Schlott acts as the operator for each phone and can field or transfer calls, helping users when needed. If a user dials zero, the phone will ring Schlott's personal cellphone, though he uses an app to keep his number private. So far, the phone at the Latham Library location has seen the most use. According to Schlott, 370 calls have been made since the phone was installed five months ago, filling a need for students without cellphones to call their parents for after-school pickups. Hannah McClain is a regular at the North Tunbridge General Store and says she finds comfort in knowing the phone is there whenever her 16-year-old daughters might need it. 'It does make me feel safer if the kids are out and about, that if they had an emergency up this way that they could stop and use this. I think these are a great service,' she said. Schlott is seeing increased interest in the service, with another free phone install in the works at the Brownell Library in Essex. For now, he plans to continue covering the costs associated with each phone, but noted that may change as the project scales. 'It's cool to see something retro that has that old-school appeal but also works. To actually hear it ring, to pick it up and have a dial tone, I think there's real power in that," he said. "And I don't think they should end up in a landfill. They should be recycled and put to good use.'
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Watch: Billy Joel reveals details of rare brain condition in first interview after diagnosis
Billy Joel has revealed the details of his rare brain disorder in his first interview since his diagnosis was announced. The 76-year-old musician has Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), which is a build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can result in damage. It can affect mobility; Joel told Bill Maher on his Club Random podcast that his "balance sucks" following his diagnosis, which forced him to cancel all upcoming performances and tour dates. "They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling," he added.
