Lilly provides funding for Infectious Disease Research Institute

Lilly has announced that it will be contributing new funding to support innovative drug discovery efforts conducted by the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI).

More than $4 million (2.52 million pounds) is being allocated by the pharmaceutical company, to be used in programmes aimed at identifying new tuberculosis (TB) treatments, including multidrug-resistant strains known as MDR-TB.

In addition, more than $1 million worth of volunteer time will be given over by Lilly scientists, providing IDRI with access to the firm's drug discovery expertise and chemical libraries.

This announcement means that Lilly has now provided IDRI with more than $20 million to support its TB research projects.

John Lechleiter, Lilly's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: "Today's TB drugs are decades old and must be taken for extended periods of time, which present challenges for patients and healthcare providers. More effective medicines with fewer side effects are desperately needed."

Earlier this week, the company published new clinical data for its drug Cialis, showing its benefits in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia.