Huntsville, Alabama, will become the hub for Eli Lilly’s domestic production of small‑molecule synthetic and peptide medicines, including the company’s first oral GLP‑1 receptor agonist, orforglipron.
Lilly is slated to create 3,450 manufacturing and construction jobs at its ninth U.S. manufacturing site announced since 2020, underscoring a strategic shift toward on‑shoring active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production.
On Dec. 9, 2025, the drugmaker announced a more than $6 billion investment in a next‑generation API facility in Huntsville. The plant will specialize in small‑molecule synthesis and peptide manufacturing, positioning it as the third of four new U.S. sites that Lilly plans to bring online over the next decade.
Orforglipron, Lilly’s inaugural oral small‑molecule GLP‑1 agonist for obesity, is slated for regulatory submission worldwide by year‑end, and the Huntsville site will be one of the first to produce the compound at scale.
The project will generate 450 high‑value positions—engineers, scientists, operations staff and laboratory technicians—once the facility becomes operational. Construction, set to break ground in 2026, is expected to create roughly 3,000 temporary jobs and will culminate in a state‑of‑the‑art plant scheduled for completion in 2032.
“Huntsville’s track record of scientific innovation, bolstered by advanced manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce, makes Alabama an ideal location for expanding domestic capacity for next‑generation medicines,” said David Ricks, Lilly chair and CEO. “This investment fortifies supply‑chain resilience and ensures reliable access to therapies for patients across the United States.”
Economic analysts project that every dollar Lilly invests in Huntsville could generate up to four dollars in ancillary economic activity, with spill‑over effects in logistics, supplier services and retail. The multiplier effect is amplified by the high‑skill nature of pharmaceutical manufacturing, which typically drives wage growth and talent retention in surrounding communities.
Governor Kay Ivey highlighted Alabama’s deep‑rooted bioscience ecosystem, noting that the $6 billion infusion represents the largest initial corporate investment in the state’s history. She emphasized the partnership’s potential to accelerate biomedical innovation and secure a competitive edge for U.S. drug manufacturing.
Site selection was competitive—Huntsville was chosen from more than 300 applications—thanks in part to its proximity to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a leading research and workforce‑development campus. The location also offers robust utilities, transportation corridors and favorable zoning incentives, all critical for scaling API production.
Lilly plans to embed cutting‑edge technologies across the plant, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, digitally integrated monitoring systems and advanced data analytics. These tools will enable “right‑first‑time” execution, reduce batch failures, and enhance real‑time quality control. Digital automation will be woven into every process step, improving operational efficiency and supporting a future‑proof manufacturing footprint.
Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Manufacturing Operations Edgardo Hernandez added that the facility will set new standards for sustainable pharmaceutical production. The company aims to minimize waste, achieve carbon‑neutral operations, and leverage green chemistry pathways that lower energy consumption and reduce the environmental impact of large‑scale synthesis.
Lilly’s broader domestic expansion includes new sites in Texas and Virginia, an upgrade of its existing Puerto Rico facility, and an additional U.S. location slated for announcement in the coming weeks. This portfolio of investments reflects a deliberate strategy to diversify manufacturing geography, mitigate geopolitical risk, and capitalize on U.S. incentives for domestic drug production.
About Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical leader turning scientific discovery into transformative medicines. With nearly 150 years of innovation, Lilly’s portfolio addresses major health challenges, from diabetes and obesity to Alzheimer’s disease, immune disorders and oncology. The company leverages biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine to accelerate breakthroughs, while committing to affordable, accessible therapies worldwide.
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