Marburg’s Vaccine Production: A Vital Link in Global Supply Chains
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global biopharma company, has operated a production facility in Marburg since 2015. The facility manufactures vital vaccine components for markets worldwide. Hessen Trade & Invest (HTAI) recently visited the facility and gained insights into the company’s ambitions, Marburg’s long-standing tradition in vaccine production, and future prospects.
Marburg has been a prominent biopharmaceutical hub for over a century, with a reputation that extends well beyond Hessen’s borders. This legacy dates back to 1904 when Nobel Prize-winning immunologist Emil von Behring founded the Behringwerke, establishing Marburg’s lasting influence in biopharmaceutical innovation.
Today, GSK’s site in Marburg continues this rich tradition in vaccine production. The company is committed to deepening its engagement with the local life sciences ecosystem and Hessen’s economic development network. To strengthen this collaboration, Carsten Schneider (Site Director and Managing Director of GSK Marburg) and Claudia Koch (Head of Communications & Culture) welcomed Dr. Rainer Waldschmidt (CEO of HTAI), Jonas Winkler (Director Location Marketing & Investor Services at HTAI), and Dr. Sven Wadenburg (Team Lead at Marburg Economic Development) for an on-site visit.
During the visit, Schneider emphasized GSK’s commitment to improving global health by providing vaccines and medicines that protect against infectious diseases. “Our goal is to help healthy people stay healthy,” he explained. By 2030, GSK aims to positively impact the health of more than 2.5 billion people worldwide.
This vision was shared by Emil von Behring, whose groundbreaking work in developing the diphtheria antitoxin saved countless lives. “With the founding of the Behringwerke, von Behring is considered a biotechnology pioneer and the first entrepreneur in the biotech industry,” explained Dr. Waldschmidt.
GSK’s Marburg facility produces key components for vaccines against shingles, mumps, measles, and meningococcal infections. “We ship these components from Marburg to GSK sites and customers worldwide, supporting the production of vaccines used across the globe,” said Schneider, highlighting the site’s international significance.
The life sciences ecosystem in Marburg is a major contributor to Hessen’s economic strength. “Nowhere else in Hessen is there a higher concentration of individuals working in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors,” noted Dr. Waldschmidt. GSK is a key player in this ecosystem, employing around 750 people from 23 countries. Recognized as an exceptional employer, GSK Marburg has received multiple awards for employee retention, family-friendly policies, and sustainability initiatives.
Another strategic advantage is the site’s proximity to the University of Marburg. Close collaboration with the university ensures a steady influx of academic talent to GSK. The company also partners with the Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences (THM), primarily to recruit engineering specialists, and Provadis University’s Marburg campus.
Since establishing the site, GSK has invested €530 million in Marburg from 2015 to 2024, demonstrating the site’s significance within the company’s international production network.
Hessen’s economic development network remains crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for vaccine production in the future. Therefore, GSK, HTAI, and Marburg’s economic promotion agency agreed to continue their close dialogue. “Our role as an economic development agency doesn’t end once a business opens its doors in our state – it extends far beyond that. We collaborate closely with companies like GSK to foster their long-term growth and development,” said Waldschmidt.
