Eli Lilly and Company has announced a plan to invest more than $6 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The site will focus on producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines. It is the third of four new US sites the company intends to develop.
The new facility will also be one of the locations responsible for producing orforglipron, Lilly’s first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. The company expects to submit this medicine for regulatory approval for obesity later this year.
The investment will create around 450 skilled jobs, including roles for engineers, scientists, operations staff and laboratory technicians. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to support approximately 3,000 construction jobs. The facility is planned for completion in 2032.
Lilly noted that the development will support domestic API production, helping to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve access to medicines across the United States. The project is also expected to deliver significant local economic benefits, with each dollar invested estimated to generate up to four dollars in wider economic activity. Additional employment opportunities are anticipated in sectors such as logistics, supply chain and retail.
Lilly plans to incorporate advanced technologies at the facility, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, digital monitoring systems and data analytics. These systems are intended to support efficient, high-quality manufacturing operations. The company also aims to apply sustainable practices designed to reduce waste and support carbon-neutral goals.
