Hantgo.com

Stay Informed Stay Ahead

Medicine

Lilly Increases Manufacturing Investment to $9 Billion at Newest Indiana Site

Eli Lilly and Company have announced that it has more than doubled its investment in its Lebanon, Indiana, manufacturing site with a new $5.3 billion commitment, increasing the company’s total investment in this site from $3.7 billion to $9 billion. This expansion will enhance Lilly’s capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection so that more adults with chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes may benefit from these important treatments.

Since 2020, Lilly has committed more than $16 billion to develop new manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Europe. New locations outside Indiana include Research Triangle Park and Concord, North Carolina; Limerick, Ireland; and Alzey, Germany. Separately, the company has invested an additional $1.2 billion to update existing manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis and recently acquired an injectable manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, from Nexus Pharmaceuticals. Together, these manufacturing investments total more than $18 billion.

“This announcement tops the largest manufacturing investment in our company’s history and, we believe, represents the single largest investment in synthetic medicine API manufacturing in U.S. history,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chair and CEO. “This multi-site campus will make our latest medicines, including Zepbound and Mounjaro, support pipeline growth and leverage the latest technology and automation for maximum efficiency, safety and quality control. Importantly, we are investing in our home state of Indiana, creating high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs for hundreds of current and future Hoosier families.”

Lilly embarked on a significant manufacturing expansion in 2020, driven by the research results for tirzepatide. The company made this strategic investment decision at risk so that upon the approval of Mounjaro (2022) and Zepbound (2023), it could make these medicines available to adults living with type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively. Since then, the strong demand for these medicines – the only approved treatments activating two incretin hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1 – underscores the urgent unmet need for treatments in both type 2 diabetes and obesity.

As part of this additional investment in the Lebanon site, located within Indiana’s LEAP Research and Innovation District, Lilly expects to add 200 full-time jobs for highly skilled workers such as engineers, scientists, operating personnel and lab technicians, resulting in an estimated 900 full-time employees when the facility is fully operational. Additionally, there will be more than 5,000 construction jobs during the site’s development.

“Lilly continues to play a transformational role in shaping Indiana’s opportunity economy, and I couldn’t be more proud about their pole position leadership in developing the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon, Indiana. Lilly has long been driving global innovation and economic growth that will be felt for decades here at home,” said Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “As an international company, headquartered in Indiana, Lilly had a world of options to consider before making this investment, and choosing Indiana once again reinforces the incredible environment we’ve cultivated and the talented workforce we have to carry Lilly’s success forward. I can’t wait to see the incredible benefits this investment leads to for patients around the world, knowing they were made in Indiana.” 

To support Lilly’s expansion project, the state will partner on infrastructure solutions – road improvements, water, electric and other utilities – as well as workforce development commitments and certain economic incentives tied to the company’s achievement of investment and employment goals. The state’s workforce development support includes the contribution of land, pending approval, for the construction of a learning and training centre that will be part of the larger LEAP industrial development, along with a commitment to work with Lilly to raise capital for its completion. The new training centre aligns with Lilly’s previously announced financial support for scholarship and training programs with Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College, and the BioCrossroads-led training centre at 16 Tech – part of Indiana’s recent Tech Hub designation.

“Lilly’s commitment to meeting the demand for our life-changing medicines goes beyond buildings and extends to improving education opportunities and upskilling a global workforce of the future,” said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president, Lilly Manufacturing Operations. “Academia is a critical partner to both industry and government as we work together to advance innovation in our state and communities around the globe.”

Since breaking ground at its Lebanon manufacturing site in 2023, Lilly has transformed a significant portion of the nearly 600 acres within the complex into an active construction site. The company expects to begin making medicines in Lebanon toward the end of 2026 – with operations scaling up through 2028. 

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Medicine

Aramex Scoop Sustainability AwardGlobal logistics giant Aramex has been awarded the Sustainability in Distribution award at the recent Distributing Pharmaceuticals UK award event at the Coventry Building Society Arena. The awards night recognised the very best in innovation and sustainability from those that are directly involved in the design, development or distribution of pharmaceuticals – a sector in which Aramex has a significant footprint. Despite being up against fierce competition within their selected category, the judges ruled that Aramex’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and mitigating climate risks were what tipped the scales on the night. Citing a 42% reduction based on scope 1 & 2 and a 25% reduction on scope 3, dependent on supplier commitment, Aramex has since 2006 implemented a multifaceted climate change mitigation strategy with the sole aim of minimising its carbon footprint and improving its impact on the environment. This strategy involves investment into renewable energy projects, commitment to minimising waste and promoting recycling across its network, enhancing energy efficiency across its operations, with initiatives such as ISO 14001 certification, LEED certification for its facilities along with further energy efficiency projects to drive down usage. Reduced water consumption, route optimisation projects to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and a commitment to gradually transitioning its fleet to electric and low-emission vehicles have also been put in place. Aramex has also implemented its Future Vehicle Program which explores innovative solutions such as autonomous vehicles and drone deliveries to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact in the years to come. Ronan Kitchin who heads up the Life Science and Healthcare division at Aramex UK commented: “We are delighted to have been recognised by Distributing Pharmaceuticals at their recent award event for our work in driving sustainability initiatives throughout our distribution services – a commitment which we have made significant strides towards over the past two decades. “With a legacy of championing sustainability, our environmental and climate change mitigation strategy looks to deliver tangible and positive changes in reducing emissions across the entire business – whether that be in our efforts to minimise waste or reducing fuel consumption. Ensuring our footprint is kept at a minimum where possible is at the top of our agenda and we couldn’t be prouder that this has been recognised by an independent panel of respected industry experts within the pharmaceutical industry – a sector within which we have a long and proud history serving. “Ultimately, it’s about doing the right thing. The world is undergoing a rate of change which is incomparable to anything humankind has ever faced before and therefore all need to play their part if the collective goal of defeating the worsening climate crisis is to be achieved. A huge thanks must therefore go out to all team members across the Aramex network who have each played a part in helping the company make such incredible inroads in its own sustainability goals.”