Eli Lilly considers closing Tippecanoe Labs

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Employees of Eli Lilly's Tippecanoe Labs were told Wednesday that the company is considering closing the facility south of Lafayette.

Human Relations Manager Jade Kas said the company is considering three options.   One is to restructure the Tippecanoe Labs.  The second option would be to sell the operation to another company.   The third option is "ceasing operation for the site."   Kas said all options have equal potential.

Kas said no decision would be made until sometime in 2009.  

Kas said the Tippecanoe Labs currently has about 800 employees.  

He said the cancer drug Gemzar, which is currently produced at the Tippecanoe Labs, goes off-patent in 2013, which would allow generic production.   Kas said Gemzar is currently one of the company's top-selling products.

Lilly also has manufacturing facilities in Clinton, Indiana, and Indianapolis.  Kas said if the Tippecanoe Labs close, the company would work with employees to relocate them to another facility.