Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Lilly's $4.5 Billion Medicine Foundry in Lebanon

Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. will break ground on its $4.5 billion Lilly Medicine Foundry in Lebanon, Indiana, with CEO Dave Ricks and Governor Mike Braun attending the ceremony.

The Lilly Medicine Foundry is designed for advanced manufacturing and drug development, employing 400 highly skilled workers, engineers, scientists, lab techs, and others who will drive innovation and produce medicines for clinical trials.

“The Lilly Medicine Foundry was designed to be a hub of innovation and manufacturing excellence,” said Dave Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Co. “This facility will enable us to develop and manufacture new medicines more efficiently and effectively.”

The project was first announced in October and is located within the LEAP Research and Innovation District. The company's planned investment in the district totals over $13 billion, making it the largest single investment in active pharmaceutical ingredients production in U.S. history.

Lilly has already made significant investments in Lebanon, including a $2.1 billion investment in two manufacturing sites announced in May 2022 and an additional $1.6 billion revealed in April 2023. The company also plans to invest $5.3 billion to enhance capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for its latest diabetes and obesity medicines.

The state government has pledged support with roads, water, electricity, and other utilities in the LEAP district.

Other attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony include Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly's chief scientific officer; Sarah O'Keeffe, Lilly's second vice president of product research and development; and local and state government officials.