Lilly Plans $70M Research Facility Expansion In Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Eli Lilly and Co. says it is spending $70 million to expand its research-and-development headquarters in Indianapolis.

The drugmaker announced Monday that the new building will feature a multi-disciplinary laboratory where organic chemists and engineers will work alongside other scientists in multiple research areas.

The new facility is expected to be completed in 2017. Lilly has about 10,000 employees in Indianapolis but didn't announce any additional jobs resulting from the expansion project.

Lilly vice president Bret Huff says the project is aimed at increasing collaboration among its research experts to accelerate the development of new medicines.

The new Indianapolis project follows Lilly launching a $400 million expansion in 2013 of its insulin manufacturing operations in the city.