Pharmaceuticals, 65 years of history in Italy: the Leonardo International Award goes to Eli Lilly

For “the historic commitment in the field of research, development and production of innovative drugs in ItalyWhere for 65 years is based, generating economic, employment and cognitive value for Italy with attention to environmental sustainabilitygenerating innovation in the life sciences sector”. These are the reasons that led the Leonardo Committee to award to Eli Lilly the 2024 edition of Leonardo International prize. The American pharmaceutical company – reports a note – that marketed the world's first insulin 100 years ago, founded in Indianapolis in 1876, announced last year a new commitment in Italy of over 750 million by 2025 to strengthen the production of innovative drugs in the country, with a specific focus on drugs for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, contributing to the industrial development of the country with around 1.5 billion in investments over the last 20 years. According to a recent study by The European House Ambrosetti, Lilly will contribute 1.5 billion euros to the Italian GDP by 2025, creating over 6,000 jobs in the country.

The Leonardo Prize – we read in the note – represents the highest recognition of Italian entrepreneurship. In particular, the Leonardo International Award is awarded to anyone deemed to have particularly contributed to develop and improve cultural and economic ties with Italy in highly strategic sectorsjust like the pharmaceutical. The institutional venue chosen for this edition of the Leonardo Prize was Senate of the Republic And the awards were presented by the president
Ignazio La Russatogether with the vice-president of the Council of Ministers and minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajanito the Minister of Enterprise and of Made in Italy
Adolfo Urso and to the president of the Leonardo Committee, Sergio Dompé.

Eli Lilly is the first multinational pharmaceutical company to receive the recognition since it was established in 1995. “We are proud of this important recognition, which attests to Eli Lilly's great commitment in Italy, where we have been present for over 65 years – he states Ilya Yuffapresident of Lilly International, who accepted the award – Over a century ago, in 1923, we marketed the first insulin in the world. Guided by science, innovation and our values, we are increasingly focused on developing innovative solutions in therapeutic areas crucial to public health, including diabetes and obesityThe cancerthe autoimmune diseases and the neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. In the coming years we want to further strengthen our presence in the country, which is at the center of our global growth strategy.”

The International Award to Eli Lilly is an “excellent signal for Made in Italy and a due recognition – he commented Sergio Dompé, Executive president
Dompé Farmaceutici and president of the Leonardo Committee – The US company is one of the pharmaceutical pioneers present in Italy for over 65 years, where it has been able to bring innovative therapeutic skills and solutions, exporting 95% of its production to the whole world. Furthermore, today Eli Lilly confirmed a further investment of 750 million euros in our country, confirming the strong relationship it has with our territory”.

“Heartiest congratulations to Eli Lilly for this award, which represents a prestigious recognition for an internationally capital company that best represents Made in Italy, together with other pharmaceutical companies – he states Marcello Cattani, president of Farmindustria – The Sesto Fiorentino industrial site is one of the largest in Italy and is a center of international excellence”. Eli Lilly with a “well-rooted presence in the area for 65 years, an eye towards the future – with investments of over 1.5 billion in the last 20 years – and a strong propensity for innovation, production and exports, makes a fundamental contribution to the care of many citizens. And at the same time to the growth of qualified employment, including many young people and women, and of the economy of the region and of our entire nation”, adds Cattani.

TO Sesto Fiorentino, where Lilly settled in 1959 – the note details – one of the most innovative plants for the production of biotechnological drugs in Italy was built, a true model of technological innovation intended for the production of insulin from recombinant DNA for European countries and non-Europeans. The Sesto Fiorentino hub guarantees diabetes medicines to more than 7 million patients every year in over 60 countries around the world. Furthermore, in 2023, a new energy trigenerator was inaugurated in Sesto Fiorentino with an investment of over 9 million euros which, combined with the strengthening of the photovoltaic systems already installed in the production site, will support the achievement of the global carbon neutrality objective by 2030.

“Greater innovative production in Italy, from Sesto Fiorentino to the numerous collaborations with national companies, generates a multiplier effect of the economic benefit in the various Italian regions, which contributes to GDP growth by generating new quality employment in the country – he explains Ilya Yuffa – Our commitment in Italy has a strategic role. Here we find the high-level skills and professionalism to continue collaborating on the development of new drugs and help more and more patients around the world. Lilly in Italy also focuses on Research and Development, with investments in this area 5.4 times higher than the average for the manufacturing sector and over 50 clinical studies currently active throughout the national territory”.

After 65 years of history in Italy, “we are ready to write a new important chapter of our increasingly solid cooperation with the country – he concludes Ilya Yuffa – We have expanded our pipeline to new therapeutic areas, which have significant importance for many patients. Our goal is to provide answers to therapeutic needs that are still unmet and to actively contribute to the promotion of a more efficient, resilient and sustainable healthcare system, to allow quicker access to our care for all those who need it, improving the quality of life of many people”.