Eli Lilly and Company has begun construction on a $5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Goochland County, Virginia, as the drug maker continues expanding its U.S. production network. The site will manufacture next-generation cancer medicines and integrate active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production with finished drug manufacturing for the first time at a Lilly facility.

The Richmond-area project is part of Lilly’s plan to establish 10 new U.S. manufacturing sites announced since 2020, backed by more than $50 billion in domestic manufacturing investment. Five of the planned facilities, including the Virginia site, are intended to produce APIs. The new facility will focus on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a class of targeted medicines that link antibodies to potent cell-killing agents. The approach is designed to direct treatment toward diseased cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue. Although ADCs are established in oncology, researchers are also investigating their potential in autoimmune diseases and other therapeutic areas.

Lilly said the Richmond site will include dedicated API manufacturing capacity for bioconjugates and large-molecule medicines. Integrating ingredient production with finished drug manufacturing is intended to support the supply of these increasingly complex therapies. David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chair and CEO, said the investment will help the company manufacture emerging treatments in the United States and support the delivery of new cancer medicines to patients.

The project is expected to create approximately 650 permanent, high-wage positions, including roles for engineers, scientists, laboratory technicians and manufacturing operations personnel. Construction and the subsequent start-up of the facility are expected to generate about 1,800 additional jobs. To develop the skilled workforce required for advanced pharmaceutical production, Lilly has committed $40 million to support the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. The initiative will bring together industry, government and higher education partners to prepare workers for careers in the sector. A hands-on training center with pilot-scale capabilities is planned for Goochland County, with a target opening in 2028.

Lilly plans to incorporate machine learning, artificial intelligence, integrated digital systems and advanced data analytics throughout the facility. According to the company, these technologies will support manufacturing consistency, streamline operations and improve the likelihood of producing batches correctly the first time. The site is also being designed with environmental performance in mind, with Lilly targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The company said the facility will be developed and operated with a focus on safety, quality and environmental stewardship.

The Richmond project is one of several facilities Lilly has announced as it expands production capacity across multiple drug modalities. Its plans include API sites in Virginia, Alabama, Texas and Indiana; injectable medicine and device manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania; and a genetic medicines facility in Indiana.

The investment comes as pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to expand domestic production capabilities for increasingly complex medicines. For Lilly, the Virginia facility will add integrated manufacturing capacity for advanced biologics and targeted cancer therapies while creating a new base for pharmaceutical production and workforce development in the region.

For more information, visit www.lilly.com.