Planned production of injectable obesity medicines is the focus of a new $3.5 billion Lilly project in Pennsylvania, where the company held a groundbreaking on Nov. 12.
Located in Fogelsville, the site will make injectable medicines and devices, with retatrutide among the planned medicines. Lilly's January plans identified retatrutide among next-generation weight-loss medicines slated for production there. The company describes retatrutide as a once-weekly investigational medicine. Lilly says it activates GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors and is studying it in Phase 3 trials. The company says the drug is barred from sale or marketing for human use.
Lilly projects 850 high-wage jobs at the facility, including positions for engineers, scientists, operations staff and laboratory technicians. It also forecasts about 2,000 construction jobs during the project's buildout.
Lilly says its U.S. network has gained 10 announced manufacturing sites since 2020. The Lehigh Valley facility is among four planned to make injectable medicines and devices. In January, Lilly said its U.S. capital expansion commitments since 2020 totaled more than $50 billion.
Pennsylvania outlined a $100 million support proposal when it announced the project in January. It includes up to $50 million in tax credits, a $25 million PA SITES grant and a $25 million Pennsylvania First grant. The state separately said it had committed up to $5 million toward workforce training at a local college or technical school.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the investment marked a milestone for the state's life sciences sector and its effort to create good-paying jobs. His announcement also cited a commitment to “advancing innovation” and “strengthening the economy.”
Lilly Chair and CEO David A. Ricks said, “This $3.5 billion investment means we'll be able to make these medicines in Pennsylvania for people here at home and around the world.” Lilly expects the facility to be operational by 2031.
