NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Indianapolis. IN, October 16, 2025: U.S. pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company has announced plans to invest over $1 billion in Telangana, strengthening Hyderabad’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical and life sciences hubs. The investment will fund a new manufacturing and quality hub aimed at expanding Lilly’s global medicine supply chain, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and major opportunities for local talent.
The Indianapolis-based company said the Hyderabad facility will serve as a strategic center for manufacturing oversight and quality management, supporting its global network of contract manufacturing partners. The move is part of Lilly’s broader strategy to ramp up production capacity for its most in-demand medicines, including treatments for diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and autoimmune conditions.
Eli Lilly is behind some of the most widely used and groundbreaking medicines in the world. Its portfolio includes Mounjaro and Zepbound, blockbuster treatments for diabetes and obesity; Humalog and Humulin, life-saving insulin therapies; Prozac and Cymbalta for depression and anxiety; and cancer drugs such as Verzenio and Alimta. The company has also developed innovative treatments like Taltz for autoimmune diseases and Emgality for migraine prevention, along with donanemab, a newly approved therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.
“This new hub in Hyderabad is a critical part of Lilly’s global growth strategy,” the company said in a statement. “It will enhance our ability to deliver innovative medicines at scale, strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand access to our therapies worldwide.”
Telangana officials hailed the announcement as a major win for the state’s life sciences sector. Hyderabad, often referred to as the “Pharma Capital of India,” already hosts over 800 pharma and biotech companies and contributes nearly one-third of India’s bulk drug exports.
“This $1 billion investment is a strong vote of confidence in Telangana’s talent, infrastructure, and policy environment,” said a state government spokesperson. “It will create huge employment opportunities for our youth, boost local innovation, and deepen Hyderabad’s role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.”
The new facility builds on Eli Lilly’s growing footprint in India. Earlier this year, the company opened a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli district, focused on digital innovation, data analytics, and technology solutions. Lilly plans to hire over 1,500 professionals for the GCC over the next two to three years.
The company has not disclosed detailed timelines for the new manufacturing and quality hub, but recruitment is expected to begin soon. The project is likely to unfold in phases, with a mix of direct Lilly operations and collaborations with Indian contract manufacturers.
Industry experts say Lilly’s investment underscores India’s rising strategic importance in the global pharmaceutical landscape. It comes amid a wave of foreign investment driven by India’s skilled workforce, cost-effective manufacturing, and expanding role in both generic and branded drug production.
Once operational, the Hyderabad hub is expected to significantly boost Lilly’s global supply capacity and strengthen its resilience against supply chain disruptions, while positioning Telangana as a major player in the next generation of pharmaceutical innovation.
Cover photo credit: By Momoneymoproblemz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia
