Kimberly Blackwell, M.D., to become Vice President of Early Phase Development and Immuno-oncology at Lilly Oncology

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that Kimberly Blackwell, M.D., one of the nation's leading breast cancer researchers, will join Lilly Oncology as vice president of early phase development and immuno-oncology on March 12, 2018. 

Dr. Blackwell is currently professor of medicine and assistant professor of radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center. She also serves as the co-director of the Duke women's cancer program, associate director for strategic relations for the Duke Cancer Institute, research scholar for Susan G. Komen, and senior strategist for the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. She will report to Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president, Global Development & Medical Affairs of Lilly Oncology.

"We are pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Blackwell to Lilly," said Sue Mahony, Ph.D., senior vice president and president of Lilly Oncology. "She is highly regarded for her leadership in cancer research, especially metastatic breast cancer, where she has led programs that resulted in numerous groundbreaking regulatory approvals in the oncology sector."  

"Furthermore, she has been on the forefront of research in oncology vaccines, immuno-oncology and biosimilars, giving her the unique expertise that will be pivotal in helping us continue to develop and advance novel treatments for people living with cancer."

About Kimberly Blackwell, M.D.
A graduate of Mayo Clinic Medical School, Dr. Blackwell is professor of medicine and assistant professor of radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center. She has played a major role in developing therapies that represent revolutionary non-chemotherapy based approaches for treating breast cancer. Her clinical and research interests include various topics in breast cancer including endocrine therapy, novel HER2 therapies, breast cancer vaccines, and other experimental therapeutics.

She has studied and served as the principal investigator on studies that led to regulatory approval of four cancer agents, including the first biosimilar treatment for cancer in the United States. Due to her leadership, she has received numerous awards, including the Duke University Distinguished Alumni in 2015 and TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2013.

Additionally, Dr. Blackwell is a recipient of the Young Investigator Award in breast cancer from the National Cancer Institute Specialized Program of Research Excellence and the Joseph Greenfield Award for Mentorship of Clinical Research.

About Lilly Oncology  
For more than 50 years, Lilly has been dedicated to delivering life-changing medicines and support to people living with cancer and those who care for them. Lilly is determined to build on this heritage and continue making life better for all those affected by cancer around the world. To learn more about Lilly's commitment to people with cancer, please visit www.LillyOncology.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels. C-LLY    

Refer to: Carole Copeland; [email protected]; (317) 610-6196

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company