Lilly Announces New Vice President of Oncology Research

Dr. Greg Plowman will oversee oncology research for Lilly and ImClone and will be based at Alexandria Center™ for Life Science - New York City

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Eli Lilly and Company

Mar 10, 2011, 08:00 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that Greg Plowman, M.D., Ph.D., will lead Lilly's oncology research efforts as the vice president, oncology research and senior vice president of ImClone Systems research.

In this innovative new role created by Lilly and ImClone, Plowman will oversee the oncology research efforts of both Lilly and its subsidiary, ImClone. Plowman will be based at ImClone's research center at the Alexandria Center™ for Life Science – New York City and will start on March 28, 2011.

He will report jointly to Jan Lundberg, Ph.D., executive vice president, science and technology, and president, Lilly Research Laboratories (LRL), and Bernhard Ehmer, M.D., president of ImClone.

Oncology Research at Lilly, ImClone

"Oncology represents a major area of unmet medical need and rapidly advancing science is driving us to discover new treatments with better efficacy to prolong the survival of the patients we serve," said Lundberg. "The introduction of a new oncology research leader across Lilly and ImClone will ensure the pursuit of the right mechanisms, therapeutic agents and tailoring strategies across our oncology business."

"Greg's position is unique and his experience makes him an ideal choice for this new position," added Lundberg. "We believe it is one of the most exciting leadership positions in the industry given the breadth of our preclinical pipeline in both small and large molecules and the close working relationship with our clinical development group that tailors our medicines for patient needs."

Lilly acquired ImClone in 2008, broadening the Lilly Oncology portfolio and strengthening its oncology pipeline and biotech capabilities. The company now has one of the largest clinical-stage pipelines of potential cancer medicines in the industry with more than 30 molecules.

About Greg Plowman

"Greg has a strong industry track record with experience in both biotech and big pharma," said Ehmer. "His leadership style and breadth of experience will help ensure a synergistic approach to our oncology pipeline efforts while preserving the innovative cultures of Lilly and ImClone for the benefit of the patients we serve. This is critical for a collaboration of the size, scope and importance of the Lilly / ImClone partnership."

Prior to accepting this position, Plowman served as a senior director in research for six years at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. He directed research efforts in anti-angiogenesis (attempting to block the formation of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen that encourage cancerous tumor growth), biomedical imaging, and tumor biology and was responsible for building a pipeline of innovative agents for treatment of cancer and ocular disease.

He has 25 years of experience in cancer research including leadership roles at four biotechs (Oncogen, Sugen, Exelixis, and Genentech) that became part of three pharmaceutical companies (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pharmacia, and Roche).

Plowman received a bachelor's of arts in biology and chemistry from Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington and earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company