Lilly announces more than $1.2 billion investment in Puerto Rico facility to boost oral medicine manufacturing capacity in the United States

Rhea-AI Summary

Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) will invest more than $1.2 billion to expand and modernize its Lilly del Caribe manufacturing site in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

The project adds advanced oral solid-dose technologies, will support production of orforglipron, and is part of Lilly's previously announced $50 billion U.S. manufacturing capital plan. Lilly estimates up to 1,000 construction jobs and 100 manufacturing jobs. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with medicine production planned by the end of 2028.

Positive

• $1.2 billion+ capital investment in Puerto Rico
• Part of a $50 billion U.S. manufacturing expansion plan
• Facility will support manufacturing of orforglipron
• Estimated 1,000 construction jobs
• Estimated 100 new high‑tech manufacturing jobs
• Production planned to start by end of 2028

Negative

• None.

Insights

Manufacturing Strategy Expert

Large-capacity investment strengthens U.S. oral medicine manufacturing and secures production for a late-stage oral GLP-1 candidate.

Lilly commits $1.2 billion to expand its Lilly del Caribe site, adding advanced oral solid-dose technologies and capacity. The plan includes roughly 100 high‑tech manufacturing roles and up to 1,000 construction jobs, and the expanded campus will produce orforglipron ahead of regulatory filings.

The project's value derives from capacity and tech upgrades—automation, paperless manufacturing, process analytical technology and spray‑dried dispersion—that shorten scale-up risk and improve reproducibility. Key dependencies include timely construction (start 2026), qualification of new processes, and supply‑chain execution; delays in any of these could push back production start planned for end of 2028.

Watch the regulatory submission timing for orforglipron (planned by 2025), facility commissioning milestones in 2026–2028, and hires for the ~100 manufacturing positions as near‑term signals of project execution.

Regulatory & Pipeline Expert

Investment ties manufacturing scale directly to an imminent regulatory filing for Lilly's oral GLP‑1 candidate.

Lilly's expansion explicitly links capacity to orforglipron, which the company expects to submit for obesity approval by 2025. Building in dedicated oral solid‑dose capabilities aligns manufacturing output with an identifiable product milestone rather than generic capacity growth.

Primary risks involve validation and regulatory readiness of the new lines; production targets hinge on successful process qualification and regulatory timelines. Milestones to monitor include the actual submission date for orforglipron, confirmation of process validation, and the start of commercial manufacture targeted by end of 2028.

Company plans to create 100 manufacturing jobs and up to 1,000 construction jobs

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today a planned investment of more than $1.2 billion to expand and modernize its Lilly del Caribe manufacturing site in Carolina, Puerto Rico. This new investment will integrate advanced technologies and expand production capacity within the existing campus to support the company's growing portfolio of oral solid medicines in cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology and immunology.

The enhanced facility will be among those that will manufacture orforglipron, Lilly's first oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which the company expects to submit to global regulatory agencies for obesity by the end of this year. This strategic expansion underscores Puerto Rico's role in Lilly's historic manufacturing agenda as a part of the previously announced $50 billion capital investment commitment to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity. The company recently shared plans to build sites in Texas and Virginia, with two additional locations to be announced in the next few months. These new sites are part of Lilly's broader efforts to expand existing U.S. manufacturing sites to increase capacity.

"After sixty years, Lilly del Caribe continues to play an important role in making life-changing medicines for people in the U.S. and beyond," said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations. "Our continued investments in capacity, infrastructure, advanced technologies and highly specialized jobs will further cement the site's significance in Lilly's global manufacturing network. Our progress builds on the dedication and expertise of our local team, helping us deliver new medicines for patients around the world."

This facility will deploy highly advanced technologies in oral solid medicine manufacturing, including dock-to-dock automation and material flow, paperless manufacturing, process analytical technology and spray-dried dispersion, which allows oral medicines to be effectively absorbed.

Lilly estimates that the project will generate up to 1,000 construction jobs and 100 additional high-tech manufacturing positions. The company supports local bioscience growth by offering scholarships for students in engineering, science, technology and business administration.

"This announcement reflects the very essence of our public policy, which is to position Puerto Rico as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing, innovation and national economic security," said Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, Governor of Puerto Rico. "Lilly's multimillion-dollar expansion is a resounding vote of confidence in our people, our infrastructure and our long-term competitiveness within the U.S. supply chain. It demonstrates that global companies can continue to grow and thrive here, while Puerto Rico contributes in a meaningful way to the resilience of the nation's most critical industries." 

"This historic investment stands as proof of what can be achieved when the private sector and government work hand in hand toward a shared vision of competitiveness and economic growth," said Sebastian Negron Reichard, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Puerto Rico. "For over sixty years, Lilly has trusted Puerto Rico, its people, its talent and its potential. Today, that trust translates into new capacity, advanced technologies, investment and long-term economic value for our island. This is exactly the kind of partnership that defines our economic development strategy and strengthens Puerto Rico's position as a global leader in life sciences manufacturing."

Construction on the expanded oral solid medicine product manufacturing facility is estimated to begin in 2026, with plans to start producing medicine by the end of 2028. 

About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. C-LLY

Trademarks and Trade Names
All trademarks or trade names referred to in this press release are the property of the company, or, to the extent trademarks or trade names belonging to other companies are references in this press release, the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this press release are referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that the company or, to the extent applicable, their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the company's or their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies' trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) including about planned capital investments in new manufacturing capacity, production and delivery of medicines, hiring and related initiatives and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any such undertaking, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the manufacturing process, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products any of which could impact the overall commercial success of our products, and as related to cost, completion timing, expected capacity, personnel, and other factors which could impact expected benefits of the capacity expansion and related initiatives. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties relevant to Lilly's business that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release. 

Refer to:	Carla Cox; cox_carla@lilly.com; 317-750-3923 (Media)
	Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com; 317-617-0983 (Investors)

 

 

 

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

FAQ

How much is Eli Lilly investing in its Puerto Rico site (LLY) announced Oct 29, 2025?

Eli Lilly announced a planned investment of more than $1.2 billion to expand the Lilly del Caribe site.

What jobs will Lilly's Puerto Rico expansion (LLY) create and when?

Lilly estimates up to 1,000 construction jobs and 100 manufacturing jobs, with construction starting in 2026.

Will the expanded Lilly del Caribe site (LLY) manufacture orforglipron?

Yes, the enhanced facility will be among those that will manufacture orforglipron.

What is the planned production timeline for Lilly's Puerto Rico facility (LLY)?

Construction is estimated to begin in 2026 with plans to start producing medicine by the end of 2028.

How does the Puerto Rico investment fit into Lilly's broader U.S. plans (LLY)?

The project is part of Lilly's $50 billion capital commitment to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity, alongside new sites in Texas and Virginia.