Eli Lilly to expand US facility as demand soars for diabetes, obesity medicines

HQ Team

December 9, 2024: Eli Lilly and Company will invest $3 billion in the US to expand its manufacturing facility to meet a rise in demand for medicines in the areas of diabetes and obesity.

The expansion of the manufacturing facility, situated in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, will start next year, according to a company statement.

“Today’s announcement represents our single largest US manufacturing investment outside our home state of Indiana and will add to our ability to expand capacity to make both our existing and future pipeline of medicines right here in the Midwest,” said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations.

Lilly has committed more than $23 billion to construct, expand and acquire manufacturing sites worldwide.

It acquired the Wisconsin facility from Nexus, a leading sterile manufacturer in the pharmaceutical industry, in April.

FDA-approved facility

The acquisition of the FDA-approved facility will further expand Lilly’s global parenteral (injectable) product manufacturing network and support increased demand for the company’s medicines, according to a statement issued then.

“We look forward to bringing high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs to people in Wisconsin, a state that is becoming a critical geography in our global manufacturing operations,” Hernandez said.

The acquisition, expansion, and additional purchases of land and the adjacent warehouse bring Lilly’s total planned investment in Wisconsin to $4 billion. 

The expanded facility will focus on manufacturing injectable medicines, device assembly and packaging for medicines across multiple therapeutic areas.

Automation

Lilly will use guided vehicles, robotics and production equipment to accelerate medicine production. 

From data management to operations, digital automation will be embedded throughout the site to accelerate processes and increase accuracy, allowing employees to focus on making safe, high-quality medicines.

Lilly aims to advance innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing by fostering partnerships with local higher education institutions and supporting various community initiatives in Wisconsin, according to the statement.