A Shot in the Arm: Pharma Benefits from a New German Legal

In late 2023, American pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to build a $2.5 billion production facility in western Germany. It’s one of the largest investments in the sector ever. The plant will at first produce its new tirzepatide drugs for diabetes and obesity. Demand is expected to soar. The major expansion comes as Berlin is reforming the rules governing German pharma, with a key aim of boosting drug production within the country. Our Guests: Gerd Kräh is associate VP of government affairs with Eli Lilly Deutschland. He is one of the most experienced media and political affairs executives in the German pharmaceutical industry. Marcus Schmidt is director of the chemicals and health division at Germany Trade & Invest. He has worked as an advisor to the German government on reforming policies regulating the pharmaceutical sector, and helped Eli Lilly and Company find a location in Germany to build one of its largest plants outside of the United States.