Lilly Raises Investment in Indiana Site to $9 Billion to Expand API Manufacturing

Sean K - stock.adobe.com

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) announced on May 24, 2024 that it has raised its investment in its Lebanon, Ind., manufacturing site by $5.3 billion, more than doubling its overall investment from $3.7 billion previously to now $9 billion. The increased funds are intended to boost the company’s manufacturing capacity for APIs used in the production of Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection, which are used to treat chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

"Today's announcement tops the largest manufacturing investment in our company's history and, we believe, represents the single largest investment in synthetic medicine API manufacturing in [United States] history," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chair and CEO, in a company press release. "This multi-site campus will make our latest medicines, including Zepbound and Mounjaro, support pipeline growth and leverage the latest technology and automation for maximum efficiency, safety, and quality control. Importantly, we are investing in our home state of Indiana, creating high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and science jobs for hundreds of current and future Hoosier families."

Lilly has invested more than $16 billion since 2020 to develop new manufacturing sites in the United States and Europe. Outside of Indiana, the company’s other new sites include Research Triangle Park and Concord, NC; Limerick, Ireland; and Alzey, Germany. The company has also separately invested an additional $1.2 billion to update existing manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis, and, in April 2024, it acquired an injectable manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., from Nexus Pharmaceuticals (1). These manufacturing investments altogether total more than $18 billion, according to the company press release.

With the additional investment in the Lebanon site, Lilly expects that 200 full-time jobs will be added for highly skilled workers, including engineers, scientists, operating personnel and lab technicians. The company anticipates a roster of an estimated 900 full-time employees when the facility is fully operational. The Lebanon site is located within Indiana's LEAP Research and Innovation District.

Meanwhile, the state of Indiana plans to support Lilly's expansion project by partnering with the company on infrastructure solutions, such as road improvements, water, electric, and other utilities. The state will also support workforce development commitments and certain economic incentives related to the company's achievement of its investment and employment goals.

"Lilly's commitment to meeting the demand for our life-changing medicines goes beyond buildings and extends to improving education opportunities and upskilling a global workforce of the future," said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice-president and president, Lilly Manufacturing Operations, in the press release. "Academia is a critical partner to both industry and government as we work together to advance innovation in our state and communities around the globe."

Lilly broke ground at the Lebanon site in 2023 and expects to begin production toward the end of 2026, with operations scaling up through 2028.

Reference

1. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly Acquires New Injectable Medicine Manufacturing Facility from Nexus Pharmaceuticals. Press Release, April 22, 2024.

Source: Eli Lilly and Company