Lilly starts work on $5B Richmond site

Lilly launches $5 billion Richmond manufacturing project

Eli Lilly and Company has begun construction on a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Goochland County, just west of Richmond, Virginia. The site is one of 10 new U.S. manufacturing locations the company has announced since 2020 and is part of more than $50 billion in planned domestic production expansion. The Richmond project is expected to add significant new capacity for advanced medicines in the United States as Lilly scales up its manufacturing footprint.

The Goochland facility will be Lilly’s first site to combine production of active pharmaceutical ingredients with finished medicines in a fully integrated operation. It will provide dedicated API capacity for bioconjugate and large-molecule medicines, supporting the company’s pipeline of complex therapies. By integrating ingredient and finished-product manufacturing in one location, Lilly aims to streamline production of these advanced treatments.

Focus on next-generation cancer medicines

The new plant will manufacture antibody-drug conjugates, a class of targeted cancer treatments that pair the precision of antibodies with potent cytotoxic medicines. These therapies are designed to attack diseased cells directly while limiting exposure to healthy tissue. Antibody-drug conjugates produced at the site are also being explored for potential use in autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

Lilly’s leadership has described the investment as a way to produce a new generation of medicines designed to target cancer cells with greater precision and potentially fewer side effects. By locating this capacity in Virginia, the company plans to supply these innovative medicines from within the United States, supporting both its research ambitions and domestic manufacturing base.

Jobs and workforce development in Virginia

The Richmond facility is expected to create 650 high-wage jobs, including roles for engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians. During the construction phase, approximately 1,800 construction jobs are anticipated as the site is built and brought online. Local officials have highlighted the project as a major investment in Goochland County and the broader region.

To support staffing needs for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, Lilly has committed $40 million to the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. This statewide network of industry, government and higher education partners will prepare Virginians for careers in the sector. As part of this effort, a hands-on, pilot-scale training center in Goochland County is targeted to open in 2028, creating a local pipeline of skilled workers for the new facility.

Technology, sustainability and national network expansion

The Richmond site is planned with extensive use of state-of-the-art technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, digitally integrated systems and advanced data analytics. These tools are intended to support right-first-time execution and embed digital automation across operations. The facility is being built to meet high standards for safety, quality and environmental stewardship.

The plant is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification, reflecting Lilly’s focus on sustainable performance as it expands in the United States. Among the company’s 10 new U.S. sites announced since 2020, five will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients, including locations in Richmond, Huntsville, Houston and two sites in Lebanon, Indiana. The Richmond facility will contribute to a broader network aimed at supporting a reliable supply of safe, high-quality medicines across key therapeutic areas.