Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to invest $72 million in an insulin manufacturing project at one of its Indianapolis facilities. The investment will be used to replace an existing insulin vial filling line and allow Lilly to meet growing demand for its insulins - including Humalog (insulin lispro) and Humulin (human insulin) - while upgrading to state-of-the-art technology and preparing for its insulin pipeline.

"This new project is part of $850 million in anticipated US capital investments which Lilly announced in March of this year. It reinforces our ongoing commitment to the US market and in Indianapolis specifically," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our company is poised for continued growth, and diabetes represents one of our key therapeutic areas. Investments such as this are vital to ensuring we continue meeting the needs of people who use our medicines."

Insulin is a core element of Lilly's diabetes business, and its US manufacturing operations are an integral part of insulin supply. Lilly has a nine-decade legacy of researching and producing insulin, and the Indianapolis manufacturing facility plays a significant role in the process. Replacing the existing line will allow for the installation of a new insulin vial filling line that aligns with modern design expectations and utilizes state-of-the-art technology.

"As technology and science continually advance, it is important that our manufacturing facilities are recapitalized and modernized regularly to ensure we can continue to provide a reliable supply of safe and high-quality medicines to people around the world," said Maria Crowe, president of Lilly Global Manufacturing Operations.

Lilly has invested more than $1.2 billion since 2012 to boost its US diabetes product manufacturing operations. More broadly, the company has invested $5 billion in its US facilities over the last decade. Continued US investment can be expected, particularly if favourable tax reform measures are enacted.

"The current US tax reform proposal, developed by the White House and congressional Republicans, would cut the corporate tax rate to 20 per cent, put in place a territorial system, and maintain tax credits for research and development. If enacted, these proposed reforms would go a long way toward leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses competing against their foreign peers," said Ricks.