The research-based pharmaceutical industry is uniquely able to discover, develop, and produce lifesaving medicines for patients To make the best use of our R&D investment and provide the greatest benefit to patients, we largely concentrate in therapeutic areas in which we have deep expertise, including diabetes, neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, and oncology. We seek to develop pharmaceuticals that are "first-in-class" (i.e., creating a treatment where none existed) and/or "best-in-class" (i.e., improving on existing treatments). Here is how the process unfolds in the United States.[1]
Lilly has a rich history of creating breakthrough products that enhance and preserve life. Today, our commitment to scientific research and development remains as strong as ever, and we've developed some innovative approaches that are helping us speed the creation of new medicines. Yet we recognize that the responsibilities we have go far beyond the laboratory.
Lilly Global Patient Safety Organization
Lilly’s global patient safety organization is a team of more than 300 individuals, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other drug-safety professionals. This group leads the company's efforts to report adverse events* and continuously monitor the safety of Lilly's products through their entire life cycle, including the identification of changes in the benefit/risk balance.
* The FDA defines an "adverse event" as any undesirable experience associated with the use of a medical product in a patient.
At all stages of the development and use of our medicines, Lilly strives to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior. This begins with our bioethics program and guiding principles and is reflected in our commitment to safeguard and protect the rights of people who participate in our research and use our products. It is also reflected in our commitment to use animals in research only when needed and to ensure their humane treatment.
The Drug Development Process
To make the best use of our R&D investment and provide the greatest benefit to patients, we largely concentrate in therapeutic areas in which we have deep expertise, including diabetes, neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, and oncology. We seek to develop pharmaceuticals that are "first-in-class" (i.e., creating a treatment where none existed) and/or "best-in-class" (i.e., improving on existing treatments).
Today, Lilly is generating potential biotech solutions (using therapeutic proteins or antibodies to treat disease), alongside more traditional chemistry-based work to deliver innovative treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease. Review our current pipeline.
