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Eli Lilly to build $5 billion Virginia facility to boost production of targeted cancer drugs, other treatments
CNBCยท 2025-09-16 14:30
Core Viewpoint - Eli Lilly is investing $5 billion to establish a manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia, aimed at enhancing production capacity for targeted cancer drugs and other treatments, marking the beginning of a series of new U.S. investments by the company [1] Group 1: Investment Plans - The company announced plans to invest at least $27 billion to build four new domestic manufacturing plants, in addition to $23 billion in previous investments since 2020 [2] - Eli Lilly expects to announce the locations of the remaining three U.S. sites within the year and aims to start producing medicines at all four facilities within five years [2] Group 2: Industry Context - Drugmakers are increasing production in the U.S. due to potential tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, which could incentivize companies to re-shore production after a significant decline in domestic drug manufacturing over the past decade [3] Group 3: Facility Details - The new Virginia plant will focus on developing active ingredients for cancer and autoimmune drugs, as well as other advanced treatments, and will be the company's first dedicated site for its bioconjugate platform and monoclonal antibody drugs [4] - The facility will enhance domestic manufacturing of antibody drug conjugates, which link monoclonal antibodies to toxic payloads to target and kill cancer cells [5] Group 4: Strategic Insights - Eli Lilly's CEO highlighted that the new capacity will support pipeline growth, allowing the company to produce new assets that utilize both biologics and antibody drug conjugates [6] - The company plans to shift some production from third-party manufacturers and other locations, primarily from Europe, to the new Virginia site [6] Group 5: Site Selection Rationale - Virginia was chosen for the new plant due to its favorable location, logistics, workforce, and the readiness of the site for construction [7] - The construction had previously begun for a different industrial purpose, and the necessary utilities are already in place, allowing for a swift setup as the company's pipeline advances [7]