Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) said it intends to invest about $3 billion in China over the next ten years to expand manufacturing capacity for its experimental treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity, orforglipron.
The pharmaceutical group also confirmed that it submitted a marketing application for the drug to China’s medicines regulator at the end of 2025, according to a statement posted on WeChat.
Orforglipron is a once-daily oral, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist. In a late-stage clinical trial, the highest dose helped overweight adults without diabetes reduce their body weight by 12.4% over a 72-week period. Another study showed the drug helped patients maintain weight loss after transitioning from injectable GLP-1 therapies, including Lilly’s own Zepbound in the United States and the competing treatment Wegovy developed by Novo Nordisk.
Lilly said it plans to develop a localized production and supply chain in China focused on oral solid-dose medicines.
The company joins a growing number of Western healthcare groups increasing manufacturing investment in China, following similar announcements earlier this year by Haleon (LON:HLN) and AstraZeneca (LON:AZN).
Lilly’s announcement comes ahead of an expected summit later this month between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.