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 has never been more important.
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world.
Lilly's Purpose
Three long-established core values guide all that we do at Lilly.
Integrity
Excellence
Respect for People
Discovery is our calling.
It's the spirit that has defined us since the day Colonel Eli Lilly opened the doors of our first laboratory in Indianapolis. Over 140 years and nearly 100 medicines later, we keep looking for the next great discovery and for even more ways to make life better for people around the world.
2021 Updates: Lilly's Global COVID-19 Response
Lilly's Milestones of Caring and Discovery
Key Facts
Recognitions