Eli Lilly, a prominent pharmaceutical company, plans to develop a $5.9 billion manufacturing campus in Houston, Texas.
The development is slated for Generation Park in Northeast Houston. Steve Kean, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, hinted at the project during the State of Harris County address. He mentioned a significant investment without naming the company explicitly, but documents suggest Eli Lilly is behind the move.
The new campus will cover 236 acres. It will feature advanced laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment. The facility will support 24-hour operations. Over 600 full-time positions are expected to be created. These jobs will span a variety of roles, including operations, production, maintenance, quality control, engineering, administration, and management. The average annual salary for these positions will exceed $100,000.
The planned development aligns with Houston’s growing reputation as a hub for life sciences and medical innovation. The city is known for the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex worldwide. Eli Lilly’s decision to expand in Houston reinforces this reputation.
The manufacturing campus is expected to produce ingredients for several of Eli Lilly’s drugs. While it remains unclear which specific medications will be manufactured at the site, Eli Lilly is known for products like the GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, along with Humalog insulin and the antidepressant Prozac.
The planned campus represents a significant boost to Eli Lilly’s production capacity in the United States. This expansion comes as competitor Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, has announced layoffs of 9,000 employees.
Negotiations and discussions are ongoing between Eli Lilly and Harris County officials. The investment is considered one of the most substantial private investments in Houston in recent years. The project is generating optimism about future economic growth and job creation in the region.
The Greater Houston Partnership has confirmed awareness of the project. While they have been active in facilitating discussions, they have not provided additional details. The organization emphasized Houston’s strong appeal to life science companies, citing available talent, robust infrastructure, and a conducive business environment.
This project is part of a broader trend of investment in life sciences and medical technology in Houston. The city continues to attract significant interest from companies in these fields, driven by its strategic advantages and commitment to innovation.