Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced a significant $4.5 billion investment to establish the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a state-of-the-art facility for advanced manufacturing and drug development. This innovative center will enable Lilly to explore new methods for medicine production while scaling up manufacturing for clinical trials. As the first facility to integrate both research and manufacturing under one roof, the Medicine Foundry will be located at the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon, Indiana, bringing Lilly’s total investment in the area to over $13 billion.
David A. Ricks, Lilly’s Chair and CEO, emphasized the importance of the facility in advancing the company’s drug discovery efforts. “As we push forward in developing new treatments for some of the most challenging diseases, we’re investing in cutting-edge infrastructure to support our expanding pipeline. This new complex will not only provide high-quality medicines for clinical studies but also enhance our process development and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate the delivery of next-generation treatments to patients worldwide.”
The Medicine Foundry will allow Lilly to innovate in optimizing manufacturing processes, increasing capacity for clinical trial medicines, and reducing costs and environmental impact. Its flexible design will accommodate the production of various molecular therapies, including small molecules, biologics, and nucleic acid therapies. The technologies developed here will be transferred to other Lilly manufacturing sites for large-scale production. Located within the LEAP district, the facility will foster close collaboration with Lilly Research Laboratories in Indianapolis and the company’s manufacturing operations in Lebanon.
The State of Indiana will support the project with infrastructure improvements for utilities such as roads, water, and electricity, as well as offering economic incentives linked to Lilly’s investment and job creation targets in Lebanon. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to create 400 full-time jobs for highly skilled workers, including engineers, scientists, and lab technicians.
Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb praised Lilly’s investment, saying, “Lilly’s continued investment in Indiana strengthens our state as a leader in cutting-edge science and technology. For nearly 150 years, Lilly has been committed to Indiana, cultivating local talent and driving advancements that benefit patients globally. The Medicine Foundry will bring exciting opportunities to our communities.”
Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg also highlighted the benefits of the project, stating, “Lilly’s increased investment is creating remarkable career opportunities for Hoosiers. With $18 billion in committed capital investment and 2,300 acres developed since 2022, the LEAP district in Lebanon is emerging as a global hub for talent and innovation.”
This facility adds to Lilly’s existing commitments in Lebanon:
- In May 2022, Lilly announced a $2.1 billion investment to establish two new manufacturing sites in Lebanon to expand its production capacity for active ingredients and new modalities like genetic medicines.
- In April 2023, Lilly broke ground on these facilities and committed an additional $1.6 billion to the project.
- In May 2024, Lilly pledged another $5.3 billion to enhance its manufacturing capacity for diabetes and obesity treatments, marking the largest single investment in active pharmaceutical ingredient production in U.S. history.
