Lilly Invests $30 Million in Partnership to Address Non-Communicable Diseases

The Lilly NCD Partnership will seek innovative solutions to help fight chronic diseases in developing countries

15-Sep-2011 - USA

Eli Lilly and Company announced today a $30 million commitment over five years to fight the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in developing nations. Lilly is launching The Lilly NCD Partnership, which combines the company's unique resources with the expertise of leading global health organizations, to identify new models of patient care that increase treatment access and improve outcomes for underserved people. The partnership will initially focus on diabetes – a core business area in which Lilly has deep expertise.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The first phase of The Lilly NCD Partnership will focus on improving diabetes care in targeted communities in Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa.

"Non-communicable diseases are afflicting nations, communities and families around the world, with the most vulnerable bearing most of the burden," said John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "We believe we have a responsibility – and are uniquely positioned – to assist in the global fight against these diseases. In partnership with leading health organizations, Lilly will contribute its deep expertise and the company's broad research capabilities to help find solutions for these pressing societal needs."

Lilly and its partners continue to develop country-specific programs that will launch in early 2012. Lilly and its partners will develop country-specific milestones that, if achieved, will trigger future investments. Partners include:

Brazil: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein – Diagnostic & Preventive Medicine and Research Institute
India: The Public Health Foundation of India, Project HOPE, Population Services International
Mexico: The Carlos Slim Health Institute – Casalud
South Africa: The Donald Woods Foundation, Project HOPE

The Lilly NCD Partnership Approach

The new program, based on the concept of "shared value," is designed to identify comprehensive, sustainable approaches to patient care, which, depending on local needs, may include everything from patient education and provider training to increased access to treatment. The concept of "shared value," developed by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, and originally published in the Harvard Business Review, occurs when a business identifies a select societal need and applies its business model in collaboration with others to find new solutions.

Leveraging the company's business model, the Lilly NCD Partnership will use the following methodology:

Research: Pilot models of healthcare for diabetes based on sophisticated research and detailed data collection.
Report: Work with well-respected partners to share data and key learnings.
Advocate: Inform key stakeholders about program findings and encourage adoption of proven, cost-effective solutions.

"The business community can – and must – play a vital role in addressing complex societal problems. And it's clear that writing a check or donating product alone doesn't have a lasting impact," said Lechleiter. "A growing body of evidence demonstrates that when a company engages with partners in an area in which it has deep expertise and a vested interest, society benefits and the company enhances its own performance."

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