About Lilly
Creating Medicines That Make Life Better
Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that met real needs in an era of unreliable elixirs peddled by questionable characters. His charge to the generations of employees who have followed was this: "Take what you find here and make it better and better."
More than 145 years later, we remain committed to his vision through every aspect of our business and the people we serve starting with those who take our medicines, and extending to health care professionals, employees and the communities in which we live.
Lilly's Purpose: Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world.
Our Values: Three long-established core values guide Lilly in all that we do.
Integrity
We conduct our business consistent with all applicable laws. We are honest in our interactions with customers, employees, shareholders, partners, suppliers, competitors and the communities we serve.
Excellence
We pursue pharmaceutical innovation, provide high-quality products and strive to deliver superior business results.
Respect for People
We maintain an environment built on mutual respect, openness and individual integrity. We’re committed to the wellbeing of all people who touch or are touched by our company: customers, employees, shareholders, partners, suppliers and communities.
Spirit of Discovery
Discovery is our calling, the spirit that has defined us since the day Eli Lilly opened the doors of our first laboratory. Over 145 years and nearly 100 medicines later, we continue to seek the next great discovery and to uncover even more ways to make life better for people around the world.
Key Facts
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Lilly's Milestones
Our History of Caring and Discovery