Lilly chairman: Medical breakthroughs benefit mankind

Lilly’s chairman and chief executive officer John Lechleiter has emphasised the driving force behind the goals of pharmaceutical companies – to improve the quality of life for humans.

In a speech he made this week, Mr Lechleiter stated that Lilly’s goal within the next ten years is to continue researching and developing the most innovative products in order to promote prosperity and better health.

He outlined three major improvements that can be made regarding the future of pharmaceuticals, which are better science and mathematics education in schools, immigration policies that encourage top scientists to move around and consistent funding for research.

Mr Lechleiter added that to appreciate innovation, its benefits for humanity must be understood.

“We tend to think of innovation in terms of technology, science and labs, but innovation is essentially the application of human ingenuity to improve human life,” he explained.

Last week, Lilly revealed that a sub-study of the TRITON-TIMI 38 clinical trial demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of its percutaneous coronary intervention treatment Effient (prasugrel).