Eli Lilly to Invest $3 Billion to Boost Supply Chain in China

By Kelly Cloonan

Eli Lilly plans to put $3 billion toward expanding its supply-chain capacity in China over the next decade.

The pharmaceutical company said Wednesday the investment will support manufacturing for its future pipeline of oral drugs, including its oral GLP-1 pill orforglipron.

Eli Lilly has been preparing to launch orforglipron in a number of countries, including China. The company submitted a new drug application for the drug in China for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity at the end of last year.

As part of the investment, Eli Lilly plans to work with several contract manufacturing partners to support future large-scale production of its future medicines, including orforglipron. The company said it signed a partnership with Pharmaron that involves an expected $200 million investment.

Eli Lilly said it expects its expanded footprint in China will boost access to treatments for the 148 million people with type 2 diabetes and more than half a billion adults affected by overweight and obesity in China.

Write to Kelly Cloonan at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-11-26 1217ET