Founded in Indiana by Colonel Eli Lilly in 1876, Lilly UK (founded in 1939) is now a major player in the UK pharmaceuticals market and one of the world's largest research based pharmaceutical companies. They have a research and development centre, two manufacturing sites and a distribution centre.

In 1922 Lilly researchers and University of Toronto scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best created the first insulin product. Soon after, Lilly developed the first effective treatment for pernicious anaemia, for which they won the Nobel Prize in 1928. Another first came in 1982 with Humulin, the first human insulin product. Notable innovations include their 1986 launch of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for clinical depression. The 2002 launches of Xigris, the first treatment for severe sepsis; the 2004 introductions of Strattera, a non-stimulant used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Yentreve for moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence in women and Alimta, used to treat mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos-exposure - all world firsts.

Lilly UK has been recognised by the Queen several times, receiving awards for trade, innovation and export.

Products

Lilly markets treatments for schizophrenia, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, erectile dysfunction, severe sepsis, depression and bipolar disorder to countries all around the world.

Key products include:

Alimta - used after chemotherapy to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Byetta - an injectable medicine used to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Celance - a dopamine agonist used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Cialis - for erectile dysfunction.
Cymbalta - for depression, generalised anxiety disorder and the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
Evista - reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Forsteo - to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Gemzar - is used to treat a range of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Humalog - a rapidly acting insulin for the treatment of diabetes.
Humapen - this insulin pen records the date, time and amount of the patient's last 16 doses.
Humatrope - used in the treatment of growth hormone deficiency.
Humulin - a range of human insulin injections.
Prozac - to treat depression.
Reopro - reduces the risk of heart attack in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention to open blocked arteries of the heart.
Strattera - non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD.
Yentreve - to treat stress urinary incontinence in women.
Zyprexa - used by sufferers of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

www.lilly.co.uk

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