“These investments further strengthen Roche’s already significant US footprint with 13 manufacturing and 15 R&D sites across the pharmaceutical and diagnostics divisions, and are expected to create more than 12,000 new jobs,” a company statement said.

The firm already has plants in the US, and said the move would help expand capacity at sites in Kentucky, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon and California.

“Today’s announced investments underscore our long-standing commitment to research, development and manufacturing in the US,” said Roche Group chief executive Thomas Schinecker.

“Our investments of US$50 billion over the next five years will lay the foundation for our next era of innovation and growth, benefiting patients in the US and around the world.”