Eli Lilly reports that it will invest an additional $1.6 billion and add another 200 new jobs at its two new manufacturing sites within LEAP Innovation Park in Boone County, Indiana, bringing the company’s total commitment to $3.7 billion and up to 700 new jobs.
The company also committed $15 million over five years to the Ivy Tech Foundation to fund up to 1,000 scholarships for individuals interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Lilly’s commitments within LEAP Innovation Park represent the largest manufacturing investment at a single location in the company’s history, noted Lilly’s chair and CEO Dave Ricks, who adds that the up to 200 additional jobs represent positions for highly skilled workers, such as engineers, operating personnel, and lab technicians.
“Through these new facilities, Hoosiers will make life-changing medicines that patients around the world need to address serious health challenges, including diabetes and cancer,” said Ricks. “We’re investing at record levels in our home state to help our communities and economy thrive and enhance educational opportunities for more students. We look forward to doing our part to make Indiana an even better place to work and live, while fostering cutting-edge innovation in our state.”
Lilly has introduced nineteen new medicines, including Jaypirca (recently approved by the FDA for mantle cell lymphoma) since 2014 and plans to introduce several additional potential medicines in 2023. The new facilities are designed to expand the company’s manufacturing network for active pharmaceutical ingredients, support increased demand for existing Lilly products, and play a key role in developing the next generation of therapeutic modalities for obesity, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune diseases.
Experiential learning program
The new $15 million Lilly Scholars program with the Ivy Tech Foundation will create a scholarship and an experiential learning program at Ivy Tech Community College for high school and college students with diverse backgrounds who intend to pursue careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Over the next five years, the company’s collaboration with Ivy Tech will provide scholarships to individuals interested in pursuing two-year degrees or certificates in manufacturing, quality, or related fields. Through the Lilly Scholars @ Ivy Tech program, students will be able to access a smart manufacturing lab to support their education, explained Ricks. Preference will be given to those who are among the first generation in their family to attend college, which constitutes 40% of Ivy Tech’s student population, and those who have overcome socioeconomic disadvantages.
Additionally, the program supports a new pathway for high school students, which allows them to receive a college certificate in pharmaceutical manufacturing or medical device quality upon graduation.
Last year, Lilly committed $42.5 million over 10 years to Purdue University to create the first Lilly Scholars program, which includes 75–100 pharmaceutical manufacturing scholarships with a guaranteed internship or co-op at Lilly to incoming students each year.
Over the past three years, Lilly has invested $6.4 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing sites.
