HQ Team
October 2, 2024: Eli Lilly and Company will build a $4.5 billion center for advanced manufacturing and drug development in Indiana to innovate new production methods.
The Lilly Medicine Foundry will combine research and manufacturing in a single location and it will also scale up making medicines for clinical trials.
The foundry will be located in Indiana’s LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon, Indiana, and will expand the company’s investment there to more than $13 billion, according to a company statement.
The facility is slated to open in late 2027 and increase Lilly’s total capital commitment in the US to more than $23 billion since 2020.
‘Growing pipeline’
“As we accelerate our work to discover new medicines for the toughest diseases, we’re continuing to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure to support our growing pipeline,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chair and CEO.
“In addition to supplying high-quality medicine for our clinical studies, this new complex will further strengthen our process development and scale up our manufacturing capabilities to speed delivery of next-generation medicines to patients around the world.”
The foundry will allow Lilly to develop innovative solutions to optimize manufacturing processes and increase capacity for clinical trial medicines, and also reducing costs and environmental impact.
The new facility will enable the production of various molecular therapies, including drug substances for small molecules, biologics and nucleic acid therapies.
State support
New technologies developed at the Medicine Foundry will be transferred to Lilly’s other manufacturing sites for full-scale production. The site’s location in LEAP will support close collaboration with Lilly Research Laboratories’ teams in Indianapolis and Lilly’s manufacturing sites in Lebanon.
The State of Indiana will support the new site with infrastructure improvements for roads, water, electricity and other utilities.
The state will also offer economic incentives tied to Lilly’s investment and employment goals in Lebanon. Once fully operational, the Medicine Foundry is expected to add 400 full-time jobs for highly skilled workers including engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians.
‘International destination’
“Lilly’s continued investment in Indiana solidifies our state’s role as a hub for cutting-edge science and technology,” said Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg said: “The LEAP district in Lebanon is quickly becoming an international destination, with $18 billion in committed capital investment on 2,300 acres since its launch in 2022.
“LEAP and the Hardtech Corridor are attracting global leaders, talent and innovation to Indiana.”
