Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets human pharmaceuticals in a wide range of therapeutic areas. The company’s core focus includes neuroscience, endocrinology, oncology, immunology and cardiovascular disease. Through a vertically integrated research and development model, Eli Lilly advances novel small molecules and biologics from early research through commercialization, serving both adult and pediatric patient populations.
Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical chemist and veteran of the American Civil War, the company has grown from a regional drug manufacturer into one of the world’s leading innovators in life sciences. Early achievements included the introduction of insulin for diabetes management in the 1920s and penicillin production during World War II. Over more than a century of operation, Eli Lilly has been credited with pioneering contributions to psychopharmacology, hormone therapies and targeted cancer treatments.
Key marketed products span several disease areas: in diabetes care, it offers rapid- and long-acting insulins as well as injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists; in oncology, its portfolio includes small-molecule kinase inhibitors and immuno-oncology antibodies; and in immunology, the company develops therapies for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Complementing these marketed drugs, Lilly maintains an active pipeline with candidates advancing across multiple phases of clinical trials.
Eli Lilly serves patients in more than 120 countries through a combination of direct operations and partnerships. The company emphasizes global manufacturing and supply chain resilience, with major production sites in North America, Europe and Asia. Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Ricks, Lilly continues to invest heavily in research collaborations, digital health solutions and initiatives to expand access to medicines worldwide.