Eli Lilly and Company will build a new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility in Harris County, Texas, according to an announcement made by Governor Greg Abbott. The project will cover approximately 1 million square feet and represents an investment of more than $6.5 billion. The company expects to create over 600 new jobs as part of the development.
To support the project, the state has extended a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $5.5 million to Eli Lilly. Additionally, the initiative has been approved under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program.
Governor Abbott stated: “Texas is the best state in America for doing business. This announcement by Lilly will boost pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state of Texas and ensure that we do not rely on other countries for the manufacturing and supply of medicines and medical supplies. Texas is doing its part to bring manufacturing capacity back to America and expanding biomedical manufacturing right here in our great state.”
The Harris County facility will focus on domestic production of next-generation small molecule synthetic medicines. According to officials, this marks the largest investment in API manufacturing ever made in Texas.
David A. Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, said: “Our new U.S. manufacturing facilities are more than just an investment in infrastructure —they’re a commitment to American innovation, onshoring jobs, economic growth, and public health. By expanding our domestic footprint, we’re strengthening our supply chain, reducing reliance on overseas production, and accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines to patients. This is a win for Lilly, a win for American workers, and most importantly, a win for the communities and patients we serve.”
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis commented: “Lilly’s decision to invest more than $6.5 billion in Harris County is a powerful testament to the strength of our community and its ability to support lifesaving work in the life sciences and create living wage jobs and equitable economic opportunities for working families in Harris County. Harris County is unmatched for its speed to market, world-class infrastructure, and exceptional workforce. Harris County, along with partners at McCord Development in Generation Park and San Jacinto College, have built an ecosystem that is purposefully designed for life science projects—offering best-in-class infrastructure, workforce training, and a community environment that connects innovation with quality of life.”
Sheldon Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Demetrius McCall said: “Sheldon Independent School District (ISD) is proud to welcome Lilly to our community. This partnership represents a shared commitment to innovation, education, and opportunity. Together, we will empower our students with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in a global workforce.”
Steve Kean from Greater Houston Partnership added: “This is a transformative moment for the Houston region and our life sciences industry. The Lilly project represents one of the largest for-profit life sciences investments in Texas history and is a powerful endorsement of Houston’s growing position as a global hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical excellence. This win reflects years of strategic work by partners across the public and private sectors to build the talent, infrastructure, and business environment needed to attract world-class companies like Lilly.”
Governor Abbott was joined at Generation Park by several officials including Eli Lilly Chair David Ricks; Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia; Representative Harold Dutton; Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis; Mayor John Whitmire; as well as local leaders from public health organizations.
Further details about Eli Lilly can be found on their website.
