Eli Lilly

Not Your Everyday U.S. Business

            Eli Lilly and Company, located in Indianapolis, was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a Civil War veteran and pharmaceutical chemist who was disappointed with that era’s often ineffective medication.  He made three pledges: to found a company which manufactures the highest-quality pharmaceutical products; to develop medications that would only be dispensed at the suggestion of a licensed physician; and his company would be based on the best science of the day.  (www.lilly.com)

The company is committed to excellence through research and development of the best, most effective medications.  Eli Lilly operates under the highest standards in the pharmaceutical industry.  The company is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights of the industry, including patent protection for pharmaceutical development.  The average cost of discovering and developing one new drug is $800 million, making patent protection necessary for the investing company to make any profit and continue future research and development. 

Eli Lilly is not just out to make a profit, though.  They understand the need to help reduce health care costs for Americans, but maintain high standards in pharmaceutical production.  They are committed to finding medications that can “eliminate the need for surgery and hospitalization, slow or reverse the progress of a disease, prevent a disease from developing, and allow people to return to work sooner.” (www.lilly.com)

The company is also concerned with and dedicated to the research and development of cancer treatments.  They are contributing to clinical trials testing new treatments and medications both monetarily and through drug development.  The FDA also just approved Eli Lilly’s Osteoporosis drug, EVISTA, which is intended to reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.  (newsroom.lilly.com)

Eli Lilly promises quality products and service to the health care industry.  Research and development facilities employ people in more than 50 countries including Belgium, Japan, Singapore, Spain and Canada.  Manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  For more news and contact information visit their Web site at http://www.lilly.com.

Rebecca Haydu-Jackson- Journalist

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