Lilly and EFSD Announce a 1.8 Million Euros Partnership for Diabetes Research

INDIANAPOLIS, September 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company renews commitment to EFSD-Lilly Research Fund

Today, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), the first pharmaceutical company to introduce insulin to treat diabetes, announced a significant commitment to the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in support of a 1.8 million Euros research program in partnership with EASD's European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD).

The "EFSD-Lilly Research Fund" will target improved understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which could ultimately lead to improved treatments for patients. It supports increased European research in diabetes, training programs in diabetes research for young clinicians and scientists and increased awareness of the burden of diabetes and its complications. Funds will be dispersed over a 3-year period and will be utilized throughout Europe.

"Lilly's strong reputation in developing patient-focused answers was built, in large part, by its work in diabetes and through relationships with partners such as the EASD," said Dr. Lorenzo Tallarigo, Lilly's president of international operations. "In addition to our previous innovations, we are developing breakthrough treatments to help millions of people with diabetes -- not only through glycemic control, but through products to manage complications. Lilly, as always, is proud to partner with EASD in an effort to find more and better treatments for diabetes."

Diabetes afflicts more than 190 million people globally, according to the International Diabetes Federation, up from 135 million in 1995. The IDF predicts that the number of people with diabetes, at the current prevalence rate, will increase to more than 330 million by 2025.

Recipients from Finland and Italy

As part of the announcement, EASD and Lilly announced the recipients of two research fellowship grants. The 2005 Lilly Research Fellowship in Diabetes and Metabolism was awarded to Dr. Patrizia Iozzo of Turku, Finland, for her application, "Integrated evaluation of fatty acid uptake and metabolism in the human brain, liver and adipose tissue." The 2005 Lilly Research Fellowship in Diabetes Microvascular Complications was awarded to Dr. Isabella Russo from Turin, Italy, for her application, "Oxidative stress and platelet function in diabetic retinopathy." Approximately 75 percent of people with diabetes will develop some type of microvascular complication and may eventually experience vision loss, end stage renal disease and non-traumatic lower leg amputations.

About EFSD

The aim of the foundation will be to encourage science and research in the field of diabetes, the rapid diffusion of acquired knowledge and to facilitate its application.

Diabetes, in its various forms, is recognised as one of Europe's most serious and fastest growing health problems. There is, at present, no known cure for diabetes and its complications, which affect both the young and the old. Europe already has a strong diabetes research base. However, a concerted and accelerated European research effort is urgently needed to find new solutions for the effective prevention and treatment of this debilitating and life-threatening disease. Such innovative research will not be possible without significant non-government support.

The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) is a non-profit organization which seeks to support the highest quality research in Europe to find a cure for all types of diabetes and associated complications and to prevent their onset. EFSD aims to cooperate with other non-governmental and governmental agencies in order to enhance further international excellence in European diabetes research as a means to achieves its goals. Through its various actions and programmes, the Foundation, also strives to enhance awareness in Europe of the severity and magnitude of this devastating disease.

About Lilly

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. O-LLY

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO)