Lilly Statement Regarding President Obama’s Meeting With U.S. Business Leaders

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)
today issued the following statement from John Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman,
president, and chief executive officer about his meeting today with President
Obama and other business leaders regarding economic growth, job creation,
American innovation and competiveness:

“It’s an honor to represent Lilly and the biopharmaceutical industry and take
part in this very important dialogue today with the President and other leaders
across many industries. Fostering an environment that encourages innovation is
fundamental to American job growth. For instance, our industry has a long
history of addressing critical medical needs through innovative research and
discovery. We need policies that support and help sustain American innovation.

“We also believe that local innovation hubs – such as the life science hub we
have in Indiana — can serve as the fuel for national prosperity. From 2001 to
2007, employment in Indiana life sciences industries grew at more than twice the
national rate. The annual wage of a typical life sciences job in Indiana is more
than double the average wage in the state. And the total value of Indiana life
sciences exports more than doubled between 2002 and 2007. I look forward to
discussing how Indiana’s success story can be used as a model for job growth.

“Ultimately, with public policies that provide the right environment, I’m
convinced America can out-innovate anyone and create a new wave of good jobs
here at home.”

About Eli Lilly and Company

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. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com. C-LLY

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

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Company Codes: NYSE:LLY