Eli Lilly and Co. is investing $1 billion to expand its Limerick, Ireland, manufacturing site to increase production of biologic active ingredients, including those for its recently approved treatment for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. The company also invested in an $800 million facility expansion in Kinsale, Ireland, which began making medicines last year to meet demand for its latest diabetes and obesity treatments.
 
This additional investment is part of Lilly’s manufacturing expansion agenda that has committed more than $20 billion to build, expand and acquire manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Europe since 2020.
 
This announcement brings Lilly’s total Limerick investment to $2 billion. Advanced technologies such as machine learning, AI and automated robotics and systems at the site aim to enable right-first-time execution. As a part of this expansion, Lilly will create another 150 skilled jobs in Limerick such as engineers, scientists, quality assurance professionals and operations personnel, for a total of 450 employees. Lilly initially announced the Limerick site in 2022 and broke ground in March 2023. Production of biologic active ingredients for Lilly medicines is on track to start in 2026.
 
The Kinsale, Ireland facility is key to maintaining the supply of Lilly’s diabetes and obesity medications. The official opening of Lilly’s Kinsale manufacturing site expansion marks the completion of the state-of-the-art project to help meet the demand for current and future treatments. The site employs a digital-first process that integrates continuous manufacturing technology to create a new manufacturing platform for creating complex peptides. 
 
“These investments will boost the production of some of our medicines, helping millions of people with diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s disease live the healthiest lives possible,” said Edgardo Hernandez, executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing Operations. “We won’t stop there – these state-of-the-art facilities will also be equipped to support our promising pipeline molecules of the future.”