Lilly appoints new general counsel

Lilly has announced that Michael Harrington is to be promoted to the role of senior vice-president and general counsel on January 1st 2013.

Mr Harrington is Lilly's current vice-president and deputy general counsel and has been with the company since 1991, taking responsibility for legal functions across Lilly's five business units.

He is being promoted as a successor to Robert Armitage, who has announced that he will be retiring from his post at the end of the year.

Lilly hailed the outgoing Mr Armitage for his contributions to the company and his pivotal role in spearheading a recent overhaul of US patent law, as well as expressing confidence that Mr Harrington will prove a capable replacement.

Dr John Lechleiter, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lilly, said: "His extensive global experience, deep knowledge of the business and his passion for Lilly's mission will serve our company well."

Last month, Lilly received a payment of $1.26 billion (793.8 million pounds) from former partner Amylin Pharmaceuticals, following the latter company's acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb.