Two Lilly scientists working in the lab

News Release

Lilly Announces Dividend Increase

December 19, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec 19, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- The board of directors of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced a 5 percent increase in its quarterly dividend. The board declared a dividend for the first quarter of 2006 of 40 cents a share on outstanding common stock. This raises the annual indicated rate to $1.60 per share and represents the 39th consecutive year in which the company has increased the dividend payment.

The dividend is payable March 10, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2006.

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. F-LLY

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

Terra L. Fox of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-276-5795
http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

News Provided by COMTEX