Eli Lilly to invest billions in new US plants

Eli Lilly has major operations in Kinsale, Co Cork, and Raheen in Limerick, but Eli Lilly executive vice president said: "Our commitment to Ireland is not a flash in the pan by any means".

The entrance to the Eli Lilly factory in Kinsale, Co Cork. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Eli Lilly said it will invest $5bn (€4.3bn) to build a manufacturing facility in Virginia, the first of four new US plants the drugmaker has planned as it moves to expand domestic production and hedge against potential tariffs.

Global pharmaceutical companies have been increasing US investment to bolster manufacturing capacity after US president Donald Trump urged the industry to make more medicines domestically rather than importing active ingredients or finished medicines.