Lebanon, Ind., May 6, 2025– A generational impact. That is the goal of Eli Lilly’s Foundry site, along State Road 32 West, within Indiana’s LEAP Research and Innovation District. The Lilly Medicine Foundry was designed for advanced manufacturing and drug development by 400 highly skilled workers, engineers, scientists, lab techs, and others who will drive innovation and make medicines for clinical trials. Ground was officially broken on May 6th. 
“The groundbreaking of Eli Lilly’s Medicine Foundry marks a transformative moment for Lebanon and American Manufacturing,” said Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. “With a $4.5 billion investment, this facility will create 400 high-skill jobs. The Medicine Foundry will not only deliver high-quality jobs, but also provide opportunities for local small businesses, including contractors, caterers, and service providers, ensuring that our entire community thrives into the future. This facility bolsters our nation’s ability to produce critical medicines domestically, reflecting the values of hard work and independence that define our community and state.”
The company’s planned investment in the LEAP district totals more than $13 billion, which Lilly touts as the largest single investment in active pharmaceutical ingredients production in U.S. history. 
In Lebanon, Lilly announced a $2.1 billion investment in two manufacturing sites in May 2022, an additional $1.6 billion for that effort revealed in April 2023, and another $5.3 billion first publicly disclosed in May to “enhance capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients for its latest diabetes and obesity medicines,” a news release in October stated.
(Courtesy: CBS4) “The foundry will be the first facility to integrate research, process development, and advance manufacturing in one place,” said Dave Ricks, Lilly Chair and CEO.
“I think it’s the first in our industry and maybe even the first in the United States.”
Lilly said the foundry will advance medicines by producing antibodies, peptides, genetic drugs, and more.
“Most importantly, what we see more and more is new complex types of drugs that combine different elements in ways that have literally never been done before,” said Daniel Skovronsky, Chief Scientific Officer for the company. “That’s what the foundry will do.”
Hundreds of researchers will be working at the site with the common goal of putting health at the forefront.
“What does this mean for patients? It means the chance for us to deliver on our dream, to make medicines to treat some of the world’s toughest diseases, including some of the most feared cancers,” said Skovronsky.
The drug company said it’s planning to hire more than 2,000 people for construction alone, and 400 new jobs will be created when the foundry opens.
Work on the Foundry is expected to begin immediately.
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