Lilly commits funding to non-communicable disease research

Lilly has made a multimillion-dollar commitment of funding to support efforts to combat non-communicable diseases in developing nations.

The company has announced the launch of its new Lilly NCD Partnership, an initiative that will see $30 million (19 million pounds) spent over the next five years to identify new models of patient care.

Initially, this project will focus on one of Lilly's core research areas, diabetes, with partners including the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Brazil, the Carlos Slim Health Institute in Mexico and South Africa's Donald Woods Foundation.

Country-specific programmes will be introduced in targeted communities in Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa in early 2012, with further investments to be triggered by specific milestones.

Dr John Lechleiter, Lilly chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: "Non-communicable diseases are afflicting nations, communities and families around the world, with the most vulnerable bearing most of the burden."

Earlier this month, Lilly announced the launch of a new YouTube health channel, which is designed to promote better living among users.