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Amgen and Eli Lilly and Company recently released plans of plant expansion projects, with serious investments consisting of $1 and $3 billion respectively.1.2
In Amgen’s case, the $1 billion will be used toward designing a second drug substance manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, NC. As it stands, the latest development puts the company’s total planned investment in the area at more than $1.5 billion, which well surpasses its original $550 million goal.
“This expansion underscores our unwavering focus on bringing transformative medicines to patients around the world,” said Robert A. Bradway, Amgen’s chairman and CEO. “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.”
The $1 billion plant is not only expected to feature the latest tech, but also sustainable practices, which supports Amgen’s interest to in conserving the environment. The company’s multiple investments have resulted in the creation of 370 new jobs in the Holly Springs area.
As for Lilly’s $3 billion expansion project—expected to break ground in 2025—it revolves around the company’s Kenosha County, WI manufacturing plant that the company had purchased back in April.3 This specific financial commitment grows the company’s global parenteral (injectable) product manufacturing network, which will help tackle the rising demand for diabetes, obesity, and future pipeline meds across various therapeutic areas. Essentially, the focus will be on the production of injectable medicines, device assembly, and packaging for medicines.
Approximately 750 more jobs are expected to be added at this location as a result.
“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,” noted Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations. “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.”
In the state of Wisconsin alone, if one were to add up the acquisition, expansion, and other purchases of land, along with the neighboring warehouse, the company’s planned investments total $4 billion.
Specifically, Lilly plans on utilizing advanced automation, with hopes of accelerating procedures while also boosting accuracy.
“Southeastern Wisconsin has seen tremendous growth over the past year, with major companies announcing significant investments in our state, and we are thrilled to add Lilly to that growing list with their $3 billion expansion that will add 750 highly skilled, family-supporting jobs to Kenosha County,” commented Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “As a US Regional Tech Hub, Wisconsin is a national leader in personalized medicine and biohealth, and through this partnership with Lilly, we’re going to keep advancing research and innovation and bolstering Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry, all while supporting workers, families, and patients across our state and around the world.”
References
1. Amgen Announces $1 Billion Manufacturing Expansion in North Carolina. Amgen. December 5, 2024. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://www.amgen.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/12/amgen-announces-$1-billion-manufacturing-expansion-in-north-carolina
2. Lilly Announces $3 Billion Expansion of Its Recently Acquired Manufacturing Facility in Wisconsin. Eli Lilly and Company. December 5, 2024. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-announces-3-billion-expansion-its-recently-acquired
3. Lilly Acquires New Injectable Medicine Manufacturing Facility from Nexus Pharmaceuticals. Eli Lilly and Company. April 22, 2024. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-acquires-new-injectable-medicine-manufacturing-facility