Eli Lilly and Company announced on February 26, 2025, that it will build four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in the United States, raising its total U.S. capital expansion commitments since 2020 to more than $50 billion. The announcement was made at a press conference in Washington, D.C., where the company stated the plan represents the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing investment in U.S. history. Lilly is currently negotiating with several states for site locations and expects to announce all four sites in 2025.
What it means
The new facilities will expand Lilly’s domestic production capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredients, small molecule chemical synthesis, and injectable therapies. According to the company, three of the four sites will focus on API manufacturing and supply chain strengthening, while the fourth will extend its global parenteral manufacturing network for future injectable treatments. The projects are expected to create more than 3,000 highly skilled jobs for engineers, scientists, operations personnel, and lab technicians, along with nearly 10,000 construction jobs during development.
Lilly stated that the investment is driven by optimism regarding its pipeline in cardiometabolic health, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. The company cited the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as foundational to its domestic manufacturing strategy. Previous commitments from 2020 to 2024 totaled $23 billion and included new sites in Research Triangle Park and Concord, North Carolina; the LEAP Innovation District in Lebanon, Indiana; expansions in Indianapolis; and the acquisition of a site in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The new facilities are anticipated to begin producing medicines within five years. Lilly welcomed additional state interest by March 12, 2025.
Key facts
- $50 billion total U.S. capital expansion commitments since 2020 (according to the company)
- Four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites planned in the United States
- More than 3,000 highly skilled jobs expected at the new sites
- Nearly 10,000 construction jobs anticipated during development
- Site locations expected to be announced in 2025
- Facilities expected to begin production within five years
- March 12, 2025 deadline for additional state interest submissions
Source: Eli Lilly and Company news release (PR Newswire)