News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Eli Lilly and Company has teamed up with Vision Racing and Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. as a partner in the recently announced Vision Racing Wellness Tour to provide free diabetes educational information as well as cholesterol screenings at the IndyCar Series during the 2008 racing season.

Eli Lilly and Company, a worldwide leader in diabetes treatment, research and education, will provide the diabetes education component of the Wellness Tour Mobile Unit, including a free diabetes risk assessment and access to a certified diabetes educator. Team partner Polymer Technology Systems will provide its revolutionary CardioChek(R) home cholesterol test system to complete a cholesterol screening.

The goal of the Vision Racing Wellness Tour is to leverage the popularity of the IndyCar Series to promote overall health management by providing tools and ongoing community-based support for those living with, treating or at-risk for serious health conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease to help improve the health and wellness of communities across the country.

"The number of people with diabetes in the U.S. is increasing at an alarming rate, and, through this initiative, Lilly can play a role in helping manage its impact on individuals and our communities," said Rob Brown, vice president and chief marketing officer, Lilly USA. "Together with Vision Racing, we're helping to provide education about diabetes, along with practical, everyday solutions to help people affected by diabetes live healthier lives."

"So many people are living with high cholesterol but aren't aware of it," said Robert Huffstodt, president and CEO of Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. "Because of this, we are excited to join the Vision Racing Wellness Tour to help provide people with cholesterol screenings so that they can be informed and if need be, make important lifestyle changes to better their overall health."

Vision Racing team driver, A.J. Foyt IV, whose grandfather is the legendary driver A.J. Foyt, is also encouraging fans to be in the driver's seat when it comes to managing their healthcare by visiting the Wellness Tour Unit.

"I'm honored to represent Lilly and the Vision Racing Wellness team in this health initiative. This is such a great opportunity to help change people's lives for the better and educate them on the importance of managing their overall health," said Foyt. "I have a family history of diabetes -- on both my mother and father's sides -- and understand firsthand the importance of taking health issues, such as diabetes, seriously. I am committed to helping raise awareness, both on the track and off, about the importance of a healthy lifestyle."

"We are pleased to welcome Lilly to our Wellness Tour initiative as well as to our race program," Vision Racing owner Tony George said. "Adding Lilly to our health and wellness partners, such as Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. and Kroger, is allowing us to really bring a unique sponsorship from the race track, to the stands and beyond. Obviously, diabetes is a serious issue in our society, and we can appreciate the work that Lilly has done to combat that. By including them in our Wellness Tour, we join them in the effort to bring awareness of diabetes to our fan base."

For more information about the Vision Racing Wellness Tour, please visit www.VisionRacing.com . For more information about diabetes, please visit www.LillyDiabetes.com .

About Diabetes

Despite significant treatment advances and a wide variety of patient education and support programs, the incidence of diabetes and its resulting medical complications continues to rise rapidly. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects nearly 24 million Americans nationwide; of that, nearly one-fourth, or approximately six million people, are unaware that they have the disease.(1)

About Cholesterol

Heart disease is also a serious threat in the U.S., taking more than 600,000 lives a year.(2) The CardioChek system, which will be available as part of the Tour Mobile Unit, consists of a handheld analyzer and test strips which will allow race spectators to test for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglycerides.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class 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 .

About Vision Racing

Vision Racing is owned and operated by Tony and Laura George as well as actor Patrick Dempsey of ABC's Grey's Anatomy and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana in a 32,000 square foot facility. The team competes full-time in the 16-race IndyCar Series schedule, and competed in the Rolex 24-Hour endurance race in Daytona, Florida for the second time. Entering its fourth season of IndyCar Series competition, the team is coming off 21 top-ten finishes, three top-five finishes and a third place finish in 2007. The team features returning drivers Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV for 2008 as well as the addition of Davey Hamilton for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500. Vision Racing continues to proudly perpetuate the legacy of the Hulman-George family through motorsports excellence, by demonstrating the traditions and heritage of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Racing. www.VisionRacing.com

About Polymer Technology Systems, Inc.

Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. is a global company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana with sales offices in Africa, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The company manufactures and markets diagnostic products including the CardioChek and CardioChek PA handheld analyzers. Polymer Technology Systems has developed test strip kits for home use with the CardioChek Home Cholesterol Analyzer to measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. The company also offers PTS Panels(R) test strips for direct LDL Cholesterol, Ketone, Glucose, a Lipid Panel and other combination test strips for professional use with the CardioChek PA. CardioChek Systems are CLIA waived, FDA Cleared, and CE labeled. For more information visit www.cardiochek2.com .

O-LLY


                                  References

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National diabetes Fact Sheet: General Information and National Estimates on Diabetes in the United States, 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007

(2) American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2008 Update, American Heart Association. AmericanHeart.org

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

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