News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Former Indianapolis Mayor to join Lilly as senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that Bart Peterson will be joining Lilly as senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications, reporting directly to chairman, president and chief executive officer John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D. He will be a member of the company's executive and the operations committees.

Peterson will lead an organization that is responsible for international, federal, and state government relations; advocacy and professional relations; public policy planning and development; external and internal communications; pricing, reimbursement, and access; corporate social responsibility; branding; anti-counterfeiting; health information technology coordination; and community and public relations. A significant part of his new role will be leading the company's interactions with the public health sector and other payers worldwide. This includes leading Lilly's effort to support reform of the U.S. health care system.

"Bart is a proven leader with a strong list of achievements. His strategic approach, intellect, and political acumen will make him a valuable addition to Lilly's leadership team," said Lechleiter. "Bart's unique public service and private sector perspectives and experiences will enrich our thinking across a broad range of business issues. He joins Lilly's top leadership at an important moment in time when Lilly and the pharmaceutical industry face significant challenges both in the U.S. and abroad."

Peterson brings to Lilly a distinguished record of leadership and achievement in both the public and private sectors. Peterson served two terms as mayor of Indianapolis (1999 - 2007), where, among many accomplishments, he championed the formation of charter schools. He was also instrumental in the effort that led to the creation of BioCrossroads to promote the development of life sciences businesses in the region. Peterson's public sector experience also includes serving as chief of staff for then Governor of Indiana Evan Bayh.

Prior to being elected mayor of Indianapolis, Peterson was president of The Precedent Companies (1995 - 1999), a commercial and residential real estate development and financial services company in Indianapolis.

More recently, Peterson served a semester as resident fellow in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; taught graduate-level classes on city government and community planning at Ball State University; was managing partner of an urban redevelopment fund for Strategic Capital Partners, LLC; and served a one-year appointment as an urban fellow to consult and advise Living Cities, a New York-based organization that promotes real estate and human development in communities of poverty.

Peterson chaired the U.S. Conference of Mayors committee on arts, culture, and recreation from 2002 - 2005. He also served as president of the National League of Cities from 2006 - 2007. In 2006 his charter school initiative received Harvard's prestigious Innovations in American Government Award, recognizing Indianapolis as a national model for improving public education.

"Throughout his career, Bart has worked tirelessly to make the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis better places, and in doing so displayed the kind of vision and decisive action that we must demonstrate to be successful at Lilly," said Lechleiter. "He is a thoughtful, persuasive problem-solver, highly regarded in government circles, and an outstanding communicator. He is also a man of integrity. I am very excited to add him to our executive team."

"Lilly is not only the premier company in Indianapolis and Indiana, more importantly, it is a company that improves the lives of people across the globe through the pharmaceuticals it makes and its comprehensive focus on patient well-being," said Peterson. "I cannot imagine a better, more fulfilling opportunity than to be a part of this cause. I'm excited to join Lilly's leadership team and contribute to spreading the incredible story the company has to tell about the value of our medicines."

A lifelong Indianapolis resident, Peterson earned a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University. After graduating from Purdue, he attended the University of Michigan Law School (J.D., with honors). He practiced law in Indianapolis prior to joining Governor Bayh's administration.

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. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

C-LLY

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

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