Lilly, the National Science and Technology Board of Singapore, and the National University of Singapore to form Lilly-Singapore Center for Clinical Pharmacology.

INDIANAPOLIS--(HealthWire)--May 20, 1996--Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), the National Science and Technology Board of Singapore and the National University of Singapore announced today that they have entered into an agreement in principle to establish a center of excellence for clinical pharmacology in Singapore. The center will further enhance Singapore as a regional technology base for the pharmaceutical and health care industry. It will also help increase the quality of health care in the region through information on drug usage in relevant population groups and by furthering development of Good Clinical Practice Standards for the ASEAN community.

Research in clinical pharmacology is critical in the process to develop drugs and treatments for diseases. Currently significant expertise in this area exists in North America and Europe. However, different ethnic populations may respond to drugs and dosing differently. In Asia, there is a need to develop expertise in clinical pharmacology studies and to focus on certain diseases that are particularly prevalent in the region. The new research center will help meet needs in Asia and throughout the world.

"This new research investment by an international pharmaceutical company is good for the health care industry in Singapore and the region," said Mr. Teo Ming Kian, chairman of the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB). "This center will enable hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to design and develop effective medicines in Asia and throughout the world."

Under the terms of the agreement, a joint venture will be established between Lilly, the National Science and Technology Board of Singapore and the National University of Singapore. A new clinical pharmacology center will be built that will enable Lilly and the Singapore research community to conduct ethnopharmacology and regulatory clinical pharmacology studies. In addition to its share of the funding, Lilly will supply Singapore with capabilities in clinical pharmacology, clinical trial design, medical training, and IT systems and software. The National Science and Technology Board of Singapore is providing funding for the new facility and equipment that will be located on the campus of the National University of Singapore and adjacent to the university hospital. The clinical pharmacology center is expected to be operational in 1997. Over time, the clinical pharmacology center will make its services available to others conducting research in the area.

"As Lilly continues to expand its global presence, it has become increasingly important to have the capabilities to develop clinical expertise in different regions of the world," said August M. Watanabe, M.D., Lilly executive vice president, science and technology. "Our collaboration with The National Science and Technology Board and the National University of Singapore will enable us collect the clinical pharmacology data needed for timely regional product registration. It will also help us provide key medical opinion leaders with early access to and experience with the innovative products in our pipeline."

Clinical pharmacology involves the study of safety, pharmacodynamic activity, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, metabolism and the excretion of drugs in humans. A major goal of clinical pharmacology is to integrate all early clinical data into the design of a therapeutic regimen for studies in patients with targeted diseases. It is a critical element in the drug development process from identification of a new drug candidate in the discovery phase through the commercialization phase with emphasis on early drug development activities leading to product decisions.

"There is a huge potential for R&D opportunities for the research community, considering the rising expectations of health care standards sparked by the growing affluence in Asia," Mr. Teo added. "The scientific exchanges among research in different population groups will be a boost to create an even more vibrant ASEAN research environment. This means that people in Asia will receive treatment that best fits their needs. By allowing drugs to reach the market sooner, patients will have access to innovative products to meet their medical needs earlier."

NSTB Holdings Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Science and Technology Board. NSTB is the government agency that actively strengthens science and technology for the economy in Singapore. Other developments in the pharmaceutical/health care industry in which NSTB is involved include: the APEC (Coordinating) centre for Good Clinical Practice, the (Good Clinical Practice) course by NUS and Quintiles, the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Centre for Natural Products Research and the Bioprocessing Technology Centre.

Lilly is a global research-based pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., that is dedicated to creating and delivering superior health care solutions -- by combining pharmaceutical innovation, existing pharmaceutical technology, disease prevention and management, and information technologies -- in order to provide customers worldwide with optimal clinical and economic outcomes.

CONTACT: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis

Jim Kappel, 317/276-5795