Eli Lilly Commits $3.5 Billion to Build Injectable Obesity Drug Plant in Pennsylvania

Eli Lilly announced a $3.5 billion investment to build a new manufacturing facility in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for injectable weight-loss drugs including tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) and retatrutide.123

Construction starts in 2026, with operations beginning in 2031; it will create 850 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs.13

This is the fourth new U.S. site in Lilly’s $50 billion reshoring initiative to expand domestic production amid tariff threats.123

Pennsylvania provided over $100 million in incentives, including $50 million in tax credits and $50 million in grants; selected from over 300 proposals due to location and infrastructure.123

Lilly CEO Dave Ricks described the digitally integrated plant as an anchor for the U.S. supply chain, producing for domestic and international markets.13

Sources:

1. https://www.biospace.com/business/eli-lilly-commits-3-5b-to-build-injectable-obesity-drug-plant-in-pa

2. https://whbl.com/2026/01/30/eli-lilly-to-build-3-5-billion-pennsylvania-plant-in-us-manufacturing-push/

3. https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/eli-lilly-chooses-lehigh-valley-pennsylvania-weight-loss-drug-production-3-billion/811084/