US-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company is developing a new injectable medicine and device manufacturing facility in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, US.
The facility is expected to expand Eli Lilly’s global parenteral manufacturing capabilities, supporting the domestic supply of future injectable treatments.
Recommended Buyers Guides
The investment for this site is set to exceed $3.5bn, with construction due to commence in 2026 and operations in 2031.
The Lehigh Valley facility is the fourth manufacturing site announced by Eli Lilly in the US since February 2025 and forms part of the company’s $50bn initiative to enhance domestic medicine manufacturing capacity.
Location
Eli Lilly’s new manufacturing facility will be located at 9802 Main St. in the Fogelsville Corporate Center, near Interstate 78 in Fogelsville, within the Upper Macungie Township of Lehigh Valley. The site is being acquired from Jaindl Land Development.
The project is the largest economic development initiative in the history of the region, the most significant life sciences project in Pennsylvania, and ranks as the third-largest economic development project in the state over the past 20 years.
The Lehigh Valley region was selected from more than 300 potential sites nationwide for the project. It was chosen for its strategic position, with one-third of the US population accessible within a day’s drive, established infrastructure such as utilities and direct access to Interstate 78.
It also features a skilled workforce of 1.8 million people within an hour’s commute, has supportive planning rules and incentive packages and is home to several higher education institutions.
Furthermore, the region has a growing life sciences sector, with more than 180 establishments including manufacturing, research and distribution facilities, employing around 5,800 people.
Eli Lilly Lehigh Valley manufacturing facility details
Eli Lilly’s planned facility in Lehigh Valley is set to cover 925,000ft2 (85,935m2) and will consist of several buildings.
The site will incorporate advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, integrated monitoring systems and data analytics to enhance operational efficiency and ensure a consistent supply of medicines.
It will produce the company’s diabetes and advanced weight management therapies including retatrutide, an investigational compound targeting glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptors.
Financing
Pennsylvania has committed more than $100m in support of the project, comprising $50m in tax credits, a $25m grant from the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program for site development and a $25m grant from the Pennsylvania First programme, which is aimed at attracting investment to the state.
The funding is being provided through Pennsylvania’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity via the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Programme, which is designed to streamline and coordinate permitting for complex economic development and infrastructure projects.
Project benefits
The construction phase of the Eli Lilly Lehigh Valley facility is projected to create approximately 2,000 jobs. Upon completion, the site is expected to offer high-value positions, with average annual salaries estimated at $100,000.
In addition, the project is expected to contribute to workforce development through on-site apprenticeship programmes and collaborations with community colleges and science, technology, engineering and mathematics-focused universities.
State funding of $5m is due to be allocated to Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) for the renovation of an existing building to establish a specialised science and technology laboratory to meet the workforce requirements of the facility.
The new laboratory, equipped with advanced instrumentation, will facilitate the training of laboratory testers, quality assurance technicians, manufacturing engineers and production specialists.
LCCC will also collaborate with Eli Lilly to develop and expand academic and workforce training programmes in the life sciences sector. These efforts will include updating science curricula for biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, alongside the introduction of specialised equipment used in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Contractors involved
Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co., a speciality site selection and incentives advisory consulting company, served as location advisor during the competitive process.
Marketing commentary on Eli Lilly
Founded in 1876, Eli Lilly operates manufacturing and distribution sites across the US, Europe and Asia.
The Lehigh Valley site is Eli Lilly’s first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
Employing a workforce of 47,000, Eli Lilly develops and manufactures prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas such as cardiometabolic health, oncology, immunology and neuroscience. The company’s products are available in around 95 countries.
