Biopharma Manufacturing Expands in the U.S.: Amgen, Lilly Double Down on Capacity and Next-Gen Production

Amgen and Eli Lilly and Company have announced major new investments in U.S. manufacturing, reinforcing a broader shift toward domestic production, stronger supply chains, and readiness for next-generation therapies.^1,2 Together, the moves highlight how large biopharma companies are not just adding capacity, but retooling infrastructure to support increasingly complex modalities such as biologics and genetic medicines.

Amgen Scales Up with an Eye on Smarter Biologics Production

Amgen is adding $300 million to its U.S. manufacturing footprint, bringing its total domestic investment over the past year to nearly $2 billion.² The focus is on biologics manufacturing, where technical complexity and demand continue to rise.

A central element is the expansion of operations in Puerto Rico, a key node in Amgen’s global supply network.¹ The investment is expected to boost both output and operational efficiency at a site that already supplies medicines worldwide.

Importantly, the strategy goes beyond scale. Amgen is upgrading manufacturing with advanced technologies, such as automation, digital systems, and process optimization, all to improve consistency and yield.² As biologics become more sophisticated, these capabilities are increasingly critical to maintaining reliable supply.

Lilly Builds for What’s Next: APIs and Genetic Medicine

Eli Lilly and Company is committing $4.5 billion to manufacturing sites in Lebanon, Indiana, bringing its total investment in the state to more than $21 billion since 2020.³ The scale of the investment signals a long-term expansion of U.S. production capacity.

The buildout spans both core and emerging capabilities. Lilly is increasing output at a planned active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility while also opening its first dedicated genetic medicine manufacturing site.³ This facility is designed to support RNA- and gene-based therapies, which require specialized production environments.

The company has linked the investment to expected demand across its pipeline, particularly in high-growth therapeutic areas

Different Paths, Same Objective: Control and Capability

The contrast between the two strategies is instructive.

Amgen is refining and expanding an established biologics manufacturing base, with a focus on efficiency, reliability, and incremental innovation. Lilly, by contrast, is building new capabilities—particularly in genetic medicine—while also strengthening foundational API production.

Both approaches point to the same underlying goal: greater control over manufacturing and the flexibility to support increasingly complex pipelines.

Beyond Capacity: A Structural Shift in How Drugs Are Made

These investments reflect more than company-specific strategy; they are part of a broader industry transition. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are accelerating U.S.-based investment to reduce supply chain risk, respond to policy pressures, and ensure long-term production capacity.⁴

At the same time, the nature of manufacturing itself is changing. Advanced therapies—including biologics, cell therapies, and gene-based treatments—require more specialized infrastructure, tighter process control, and deeper technical expertise. The result is a shift from simple capacity expansion to full-scale manufacturing transformation.

References

1. Abbott, J. (2026, May 4). Amgen invests $300M in US biomanufacturing in Puerto Rico. BioProcess International. https://www.bioprocessintl.com/facilities-capacity/amgen-invests-300m-in-us-biomanufacturing-in-puerto-rico
   
2. Amgen announces additional $300 million U.S. manufacturing investment, totaling nearly $2 billion over the last year. (2026, May 4) Amgen. https://www.amgen.com/newsroom/press-releases/2026/05/amgen-announces-additional-300-million-us-manufacturing-investment-totaling-nearly-2-billion-over-the-last-year
   
3. Lilly commits additional $4.5 billion across Indiana manufacturing sites, opens first dedicated genetic medicine facility. (2026, May 6). Eli Lilly and Company. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-commits-additional-45-billion-across-indiana-manufacturing
   
4. Global drugmakers rush to boost US presence as tariff threat looms. (2026, January 20). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/global-drugmakers-rush-boost-us-presence-tariff-threat-looms-2026-05-04/