Lilly Announces $1 Billion Expansion to Ireland Facilities

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Lilly is expanding its manufacturing site in Limerick, Ireland, with a $1 billion investment.¹ The company also revealed its expansion to its facility in Kinsale, Ireland, which cost about $800 billion. The expansion in Limerick will be used to increase production of ingredients used in Lilly’s treatment for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, along with other biologic active ingredients. Meanwhile, the site in Kinsale is focused on producing diabetes and weight loss medications.

In a press release, executive vice president and president of manufacturing operations at Lilly Edgardo Hernandez said, “These investments will boost the production of some of our medicines, helping millions of people with diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's disease live the healthiest lives possible. We won't stop there–these state-of-the-art facilities will also be equipped to support our promising pipeline molecules of the future."

Anne E. White, executive vice president and president of Lilly Neuroscience, also said, “Alzheimer's disease is a devastating diagnosis for both the patient and for their loved ones, along with having a huge burden on society. The treatments we will make here in Limerick offer the potential to be able to slow the progression of the disease and make life better for millions of people around the world."

Including these two expansions, Lilly has invested $2 billion into its facilities in Ireland.

Lilly also recently announced a new medication for its diabetes treatment pipeline.² According to the results of recent studies, the newly developed insulin efsitora alfa can produce similar results with just one dose-a-week, compared to daily doses of other insulins.

In a press release issued earlier this month, senior vice president of product development at Lilly Jeff Emmick, MD, PhD, said, "When we commercialized insulin more than 100 years ago, it marked the beginning of our commitment to people living with type 1 diabetes – today's announcement continues that legacy. These results underscore the potential of efsitora to help some people living with type 1 diabetes lower their A1C with only one basal insulin injection per week, while also highlighting the complexity of treating this chronic disease. With the data we have seen from our phase 3 program so far, we are confident in efsitora's potential to transform diabetes care and will continue to pursue new treatment options until we can eliminate the disease entirely."

Richard Bergenstal, MD, executive director of the International Diabetes Center, HealthPartners Institute, added, “People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day. Currently, they can deliver the insulin using an automated insulin delivery system or by taking a daily basal insulin injection and multiple mealtime insulin injections each day. This new data shows that with one dose a week of basal insulin, efsitora was able to achieve a similar A1C reduction as taking an injection of one of the most used background insulins every day. I look forward to further evaluation of these data, including ways to minimize hypoglycemia, so once-weekly insulin can be one option for personalizing the management of type 1 diabetes."

Sources

1. Lilly Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ireland with $1.8 Billion Investment. Eli Lilly and Company. September 12, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-expands-manufacturing-footprint-in-ireland-with-1-8-billion-investment-302245823.html
2. With Once-a-Week Dosing, Insulin Efsitora Alfa Delivers Similar A1C Reduction Compared to Daily Insulin in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. Eli Lilly and Company. September 10, 2024. Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/with-once-a-week-dosing-insulin-efsitora-alfa-delivers-similar-a1c-reduction-compared-to-daily-insulin-in-adults-with-type-1-diabetes-302243960.html