Eli Lilly Plans $3B Netherlands Facility To Expand Oral Medicine Production

Eli Lilly is investing $3 billion to build a new manufacturing facility in Katwijk, Netherlands, within the Leiden Bio Science Park to expand production of oral medicines, including its first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, orforglipron, aimed at treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. The facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies such as dock-to-dock automation and paperless manufacturing to support the growing portfolio in cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. This investment will create approximately 500 high-wage manufacturing jobs and 1,500 construction jobs, with construction expected to begin next year pending government permits. The new site complements Lilly's existing European manufacturing footprint, which includes four plants across France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and aligns with broader plans to expand manufacturing capacity in the U.S. and Europe. Lilly is also progressing with global regulatory submissions for orforglipron, aiming to benefit from expedited FDA review timelines. The investment reflects Lilly's commitment to strengthening its global supply chain and supporting early-stage life sciences ecosystems in Europe.