Lilly to build $6 billion facility to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients in Alabama
Huntsville site will focus on domestic production of small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines, including Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron
Company plans to create 3,450 manufacturing and construction jobs at Lilly's ninth U.S. manufacturing site announced since 2020
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced plans to invest more than $6 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This next-generation synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility, the third of four new U.S. sites Lilly plans to announce, will produce small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines.
Importantly, the site will be among those that will manufacture orforglipron, Lilly's first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which the company expects to submit to global regulatory agencies for obesity by the end of this year.
Lilly will bring 450 high-value jobs to the area, including engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians. Construction, expected to begin in 2026, is anticipated to generate 3,000 construction jobs as the state-of-the-art facility is built. Completion is expected in 2032.
"Huntsville's track record of science and innovation, supported by advanced manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce, makes Alabama an ideal location for Lilly to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for next‑generation medicines," said David A. Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO. "Today's investment continues the onshoring of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, strengthening supply chain resilience and reliable access to medicines for patients in the U.S."
Expanding Lilly's U.S. manufacturing presence in Alabama will boost the Huntsville economy. For every dollar Lilly invests there, it estimates up to four dollars in additional local economic activity. Also, for each manufacturing job created, several more will be generated in related sectors like supply chain, logistics and retail.
"Huntsville and our entire state have a proven legacy of innovation, and there is no better home for Lilly than right here in Alabama. Our roots in the biosciences industry run deep, and Alabama's contributions to this burgeoning sector continue," said Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama. "We are proud to welcome Lilly's new U.S. manufacturing facility, which we are thrilled is the largest initial investment in our state's history. No doubt, Alabamians will help Lilly do things that have never been done before, and we will ensure this great company achieves their mission of improving the health and well-being of people all around the country and globe."
The Greenbrier South, Huntsville, Alabama site was selected from more than 300 applications, partly based on its proximity to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, an established bioscience campus that supports workforce training and research. In addition to its workforce potential, the region offers ready access to utilities, transportation and favorable zoning and incentives.
Lilly plans to use state-of-the-art technologies, including machine learning, AI, digitally integrated monitoring systems and advanced data analytics to drive right-first-time execution. Digital automation will be embedded throughout the site to streamline operations and ensure a reliable supply of safe, high-quality medicines.
"By establishing this new facility, Lilly is deepening America's expertise in advanced chemical synthesis and setting new standards for sustainable manufacturing," said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations. "Our investment not only expands our technical capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to environmental stewardship, leveraging innovative processes to minimize waste and achieve carbon neutrality. Each step forward strengthens our U.S. operations and supports healthier communities for the future."
Earlier this year, Lilly announced plans to bolster its domestic medicine production across therapeutic areas. The company recently revealed plans to build sites in Texas and Virginia and to expand an existing manufacturing site in Puerto Rico. Another U.S. location will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. C-LLY
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including about planned capital investments in new manufacturing capacity, production and delivery of medicines, hiring and related initiatives and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any such undertaking, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the manufacturing process, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products any of which could impact the overall commercial success of our products, and as related to cost, completion timing, expected capacity, personnel, and other factors which could impact expected benefits of the capacity expansion and related initiatives. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties relevant to Lilly's business that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.
Additional Quote Options for Media Use
Alabama Senator, Katie Britt: "Today's announcement is tremendous news for Huntsville and for our state. Lilly's $6 billion investment and the creation of thousands of good-paying jobs will strengthen domestic production of lifesaving medicines. This commitment further cements 'Made in Alabama' manufacturing as the gold standard and will help usher in a new golden age of American manufacturing, right here in Sweet Home Alabama. This project also underscores President Trump's leadership in driving major domestic investments to revitalize and unleash American manufacturing dominance and biomedical innovation. I'm proud to be a federal partner as we continue working to provide life-changing opportunities for Alabamians so our world-class workforce can continue to power America's future."
Mayor of Huntsville, Alabama, Tommy Battle: "Lilly's decision to invest $6 billion in a next-generation pharmaceutical manufacturing facility here in Huntsville is a tremendous vote of confidence in our people and our future. Huntsville has long been a place where innovation thrives and hard, 'impossible' things get done. We're proud to welcome Lilly to our community and excited to help shape the next era of breakthrough medicine."
Refer to:
Carla Cox; cox_carla@lilly.com; 317-750-3923 (Media)
Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com; 317-617-0983 (Investors)
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company