Eli Lilly and Company has announced a $5 billion investment in a new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing plant in Goochland County, Virginia. This facility is the first of four new U.S. manufacturing “mega sites” planned under Lilly’s broader $27 billion domestic expansion strategy, Lilly in America, unveiled earlier this year in Washington, D.C.
The Virginia facility will serve as Lilly’s first fully integrated bioconjugate and monoclonal antibody plant in the U.S., producing antibody-drug conjugates and other advanced therapies. According to the company, this marks a major step in strengthening America’s pharmaceutical supply chain and advancing next-generation medicines.
Construction will create approximately 1,800 jobs, while the site itself will employ around 650 permanent staff once operational. Lilly expects all four U.S. sites to be fully functional within five years.
Why Virginia?
Lilly cited Goochland County’s skilled workforce potential, strong utilities and transportation infrastructure, and favorable zoning policies as key factors in the site selection. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin noted that the state is positioning itself as a leader in life sciences and biomanufacturing.
This announcement comes shortly after AstraZeneca revealed a $4 billion drug substance manufacturing plant in Virginia, part of its $50 billion U.S. investment commitment. The state’s economic development incentives, including over $10 million in legislative support, helped secure both projects.
Industry-Wide Expansion in U.S. Manufacturing
Lilly’s decision reflects a broader reshoring trend in the pharmaceutical industry, as drugmakers move to reduce dependence on imports and mitigate tariff risks. Recent large-scale U.S. investment announcements include:
- Roche – $50 billion commitment
- Johnson & Johnson – $55 billion initiative, including medtech expansion
- Sanofi and Novartis – each pledging at least $20 billion in U.S. investment by 2030
With the Goochland County site, Eli Lilly is not only expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint but also pioneering in bioconjugate production, a field that promises more targeted, effective therapies for patients.
