Both Lilly and Amgen Invest in Major Expansions of US Manufacturing Sites

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Editor's note: this story was originally published on PharmTech.com.

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) and Amgen have individually announced plans to expand their manufacturing facilities in Kenosha County, Wis., and Holly Springs, NC, respectively. On Dec. 5, 2024, Lilly announced a $3 billion investment aimed at expanding the Kenosha County manufacturing facility that it acquired earlier in 2024 (1), and Amgen announced a $1 billion investment to establish a second drug substance manufacturing facility at its Holly Springs site, which brings Amgen’s total planned investment in Holly Springs to more than $1.5 billion (2).

Lilly boosts parenterals

Lilly’s investment aims to extend the company’s global parenteral product manufacturing network to meet growing demand for its diabetes and obesity therapies as well as future pipeline medicines across therapeutic areas. Construction for the expansion is expected to begin in 2025. Lilly expects to add 750 highly skilled jobs to the current approximately 100-person workforce at the Kenosha County location. The new highly skilled jobs will include operators, technicians, engineers, and scientists and will be in addition to the more than 2000 construction jobs that will open up during the construction phase.

"Today's announcement represents our single largest US manufacturing investment outside our home state of Indiana and will add to our ability to expand capacity to make both our existing and future pipeline of medicines right here in the Midwest," said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice-president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations, in a company press release (1). "We look forward to bringing high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and science jobs to people in Wisconsin, a state that is becoming a critical geography in our global manufacturing operations."

Lilly plans to use advanced automation—including guided vehicles, robotics, and production equipment—to accelerate injectable medicine production. Digital automation will be embedded throughout the site for data management to operations to accelerate processes and increase accuracy.

Lilly aims to foster partnerships with local higher education institutions and support various community initiatives in Wisconsin to advance innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Amgen grows drug substance manufacturing capacity

Amgen’s investment in its Holly Springs site will build a new manufacturing facility for drug substance production. As part of the expansion, the company will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. Together with the already existing facility at the site, the company’s investments will create 370 new jobs in the region and will support a robust biomanufacturing hub (2).

"This expansion underscores our unwavering focus on bringing transformative medicines to patients around the world," said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer at Amgen, in a company press release (2). "North Carolina will be an important part of our global manufacturing network as we continue to meet the growing demand for our innovative therapies while generating significant local economic impact."

Amgen chose North Carolina, which has grown a reputation as a premier life sciences destination, for the state’s ecosystem of life sciences innovation and skilled workforce. “This expansion enhances the company's global biomanufacturing network, leveraging decades of operational expertise and technological advancements to ensure the reliable and efficient delivery of high-quality medicines to patients worldwide,” the company stated in its release (2).

References

1. Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly Announces $3 Billion Expansion of its Recently Acquired Manufacturing Facility in Wisconsin. Press Release. Dec. 5, 2024.
2. Amgen. Amgen Announces $1 Billion Manufacturing Expansion in North Carolina. Press Release. Dec. 5, 2024.