News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct 17, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The Board of Directors of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has elected J. Erik Fyrwald, Group Vice- President of DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition, as a new member, effective November 1, 2005. As Group Vice-President, Fyrwald is responsible for the Pioneer Hi-Bred International, DuPont Crop Protection, and Nutrition and Health businesses at DuPont.

Fyrwald replaces Sir John Rose, who has resigned from the Lilly board. Rose, chief executive of Rolls Royce Group plc, stepped down in order to devote his full attention to his family and to his duties at Rolls Royce.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Erik to the Lilly board," said Sidney Taurel, Lilly chairman and chief executive officer. "His experiences and his track record of leadership in an innovation-driven company such as DuPont will contribute significantly to Lilly's goal of providing better health outcomes for our patients and their families. In addition, I want to thank Sir John for his service, guidance and leadership during his tenure on the Lilly board. We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him well."

Fyrwald, 46, joined DuPont in 1981 as a production engineer, and since then has held a variety of sales and management positions, including key leadership positions as head of DuPont Engineering Polymers in the Asia Pacific region, leader of DuPont Nylon Plastics for the Americas, and leader of global sales and marketing for Engineering Polymers. In 1998, he was appointed vice president of Corporate Plans and Business Development and then vice president of e-Commerce. He was named to his current position as Group Vice-President of Agriculture and Nutrition in June 2003.

Fyrwald is a board member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), CropLife International President's Advisory Group, the Des Moines Art Center, the Greater Des Moines Partnership (Public and Private Collaboration), the Farm Foundation, 8th Continent L.L.C. and The Solae 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 .

C-LLY

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

Phil Belt of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-276-2506

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