Switzerland-based plasma fractionator Octapharma on Wednesday announced plans to establish its first-ever US-based manufacturing and production site at the Palmetto Research Park in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The USD1.5bn project is expected to bring 1,500 full-time jobs to South Carolina, making this one of the largest private biomedical investments in the state's history.

Octapharma said that once operations commence, the new facility will produce critical, life-saving medicines from its portfolio of plasma-derived therapies, strengthening the domestic biomedical supply chain while also complementing the company's global manufacturing capabilities.

Octapharma's Rock Hill site will also produce bleeding management and trauma care products for national security and emergency preparedness needs.