Our mission includes finding answers for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. We focus our internal research efforts primarily on four core therapeutic areas: neuroscience, endocrine disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. We also continue to pursue innovative science and new opportunities beyond our targeted disease categories. We embrace a philosophy of "research innovation without walls," meaning that we pursue cutting-edge science and technology from external, as well as internal, sources.
In the last decade, we have introduced important new drugs for the treatment of cancer, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and severe sepsis.
Our research pipeline, one of the strongest in the industry, has the potential to address many serious unmet medical needs of people around the world.
Some of the conditions our drugs treat include:
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects two million or more American children. The most widely prescribed drugs for ADHD are psychostimulants. Strattera®, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, received FDA approval in 2002 and was launched in 2003 in the United States. More information is available at www.adhd.com.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It causes dramatic mood swings – from "high" feelings of extreme euphoria or irritability (mania) to hopelessness (depression). Each episode of mania or depression changes a person’s energy level, thought process, and behavior, and can last for hours, weeks, or several months. Zyprexa® was the first atypical antipsychotic approved for the treatment of acute bipolar mania. More information is available at www.bipolarhelpcenter.com.
Cancer
Cancer - Lilly has become an emerging force in cancer research by focusing on the discovery and development of new anticancer agents with unique modes of action designed to address a variety of tumors. These include certain kinds of lung, ovarian, breast, and pancreatic cancers. More information is available at: www.lillyoncology.com.
Depression
Lilly revolutionized the treatment of this debilitating disease with the introduction of Prozac® in the late 1980s. Today, we remain committed to treating those who suffer from depression and other mental illnesses. More information is available at www.depressionhurts.com and www.supportpartnersprogram.com.
Diabetes
Lilly is a leader in diabetes research, dating back to our role in developing the world's first commercially available insulin product, Iletin®, in 1923. Byetta® is Lilly’s newest diabetes drug, and we continue to pursue a number of diabetes-related targets. More information is available at www.lillydiabetes.com.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (DPNP)
DPNP can be a very painful and debilitating condition. Patients with diabetes may not understand that the burning, shooting, stabbing pain they feel may be associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Cymbalta can help patients manage the pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Erectile dysfunction
Affecting an estimated 150 million men and their partners worldwide, erectile dysfunction is the consistent inability to attain and maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. In 2003, Lilly launched Cialis® for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in more than 45 countries, including the United States.
Fibromyalgia
An often misunderstood condition, fibromyalgia can greatly impact patients' lives and be an overwhelmingly difficult condition to live with. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the presence of chronic widespread pain and tenderness in 11 or more of the 18 tender point sites¹. Cymbalta can help manage the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia.
¹ Wolfe F, et al. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. 1990;33:160-172
Osteoporosis
This "silent disease" leads to the loss of bone. In 2002, Lilly gained approval of Forteo®, a first-in-class medication that stimulates bone formation. Evista®, another Lilly drug, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and acts through estrogen receptors to restore bone markers to premenopausal levels and significantly reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the way the brain receives and interprets information. The illness can make it difficult to organize thoughts and relate to other people. Zyprexa® has benefits in controlling positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative symptoms (apathy, social withdrawal) of schizophrenia.
Sepsis
In late 2001, Lilly launched in the United States an innovative biotech therapy, Xigris®, for the treatment of life-threatening severe sepsis. Sepsis is the body's overwhelming systemic response to infection that can lead to organ failure and, ultimately, death. Xigris is the first treatment approved for the reduction of mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis who have a high risk of death. More information is available at www.sepsis.com.
