Lilly is set to expand its insulin manufacturing capabilities in order to cope with the growing demand for simpler diabetes treatments in the US.
The pharma company plans to invest an extra $180m in its existing insulin manufacturing operations in its home city of Indianapolis in order to cope with growing demand for insulin pens.
This investment is in addition to an already announced $140m expansion of the site, as well as supporting projects totalling about $80m.
The extra cash boost will enable Lilly to expand its insulin-active-ingredient production area and add a second insulin cartridge-filling line in addition to one already in development.
Lilly’s existing insulin manufacturing operations in the US currently only cover insulin vials for use in syringes or pumps.
However, insulin cartridges can be use in insulin pens, which are becoming an increasingly popular choice for people in the US who require insulin treatment due to ease of use and accuracy.
Lilly’s pens include the HumaPen Luxura and the HumaPen Luxura HD, both of which are designed to be used with Lilly’s Humalog insulin.
Extra investment in the area is especially important, considering the rapidly growing rates of diabetes in the US, where more than 25 million people are thought to live with condition.
This number is set to increase dramatically in the coming years, with the American Diabetes Association reporting that there were nearly 2 million new cases were diagnosed in adults in 2010.
The first stage of construction scheduled to be completed at the Lilly site in Indianapolis is the insulin-active-ingredient production area, which is due to be operational by March 2014, with the additional insulin-cartridge-filling line is due to be completed by 2016.
The city’s mayor Greg Ballard welcomed news of the extra investment, which will see combined peak employment of about 300 workers.
He said: “Lilly could have made this investment anywhere in the world, but the fact that it continues to expand in Indianapolis is a testament to the great business climate and workforce in our city.”
Once each facility is operational, Lilly will employ about 175 full-time technicians, scientists, and engineers.