Eli Lilly and Company just announced a massive $9 billion investment in a new manufacturing site in Lebanon, Indiana. This represents an increase from the initially planned $3.7 billion investment at the same site, more than doubling Lilly’s commitment.
Lilly LEAP Lebanon, IN site
The expanded manufacturing capacity will be used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients for Lilly’s blockbuster medications Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for diabetes and newly approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) for obesity and weight management. Demand for these innovative drugs has been extremely high since their approvals.
As part of the investment, Lilly expects to create 200 new full-time jobs in Indiana for scientists, engineers, technicians and other skilled workers once the facility is operational. There will also be over 5,000 temporary construction jobs during the site’s development over the next few years.
The $9 billion figure makes this Lilly’s largest ever manufacturing investment. The company states it is likely the single biggest investment ever in synthetic drug ingredient production in the United States.
Since 2020, Lilly has committed over $18 billion total towards upgrading and building new manufacturing capacity across the U.S. and Europe. This reflects a major strategic priorities to expand production capabilities for its growing portfolio of medicines.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb welcomed the investment, highlighting Lilly’s importance to the state’s economy and workforce development initiatives. The state will provide infrastructure support and economic incentives tied to Lilly’s job creation goals.
Lilly’s CEO David Ricks emphasized the company’s commitment to its home state, advanced manufacturing, and making pivotal new medicines more accessible to patients globally. The Lebanon site is expected to begin production by late 2026.
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