Industry and academic professionals gather to advance patient treatments and economic position INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On November 13, professionals with a common interest in diabetes research and development will gather in Indianapolis to network and participate in a knowledge exchange to contribute to the advancement of Indiana's life science economy. "Building on Indiana's Strength in Diabetes Research, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics" is the theme of the summit sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and the Indiana Health Industry Forum. The summit is a first-of-its-kind symposium that will bring together key Indiana-based players from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and academia that focus on the development of better therapies and diagnostic technologies for the prevention and management of diabetes. "The concentration of work being done locally in diabetes research and development makes Indiana a predominant hub in this arena," said Dan Peterson, vice president, industry and government affairs, Cook Group Inc., and chairman of the Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF). "Within our own community, we have the unique opportunity to network with a broad range of who's who in diabetes R&D." The summit will serve as a catalyst to connect Indiana resources for the development of diabetes treatments and diagnostics, as well as identify business collaborations. In addition to attendees from academia and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, representatives from Indiana state government, venture capital concerns, clinical research organizations, research service companies and advocacy groups will attend. "We are looking to develop a stronger, more collaborative, local network in the field of diabetes," said David Moller, M.D., Lilly's vice president of endocrine and cardiovascular research and clinical investigation. "On the eve of World Diabetes Day, our summit kicks off the global campaign observed by the United Nations that recognizes diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease." The summit will take place at the Lilly Corporate Center and will feature speakers from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Indiana University School of Medicine, Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, Roche Pharmaceuticals, University of California, San Diego, University of Cincinnati and VitaCyte LLC. The keynote speaker, Bernie Zinman, M.D., Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, will present his views of clinical unmet needs for diabetes and clinical pathogenesis and epidemiology. About Diabetes Diabetes affects more than 20 million in the United States and an estimated 246 million adults worldwide.(1,2) Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and costs approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses.(3) About Indiana Health Industry Forum The Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF) is a not-for-profit, private sector organization. Incorporated in 1994, its mission is to create an environment where Indiana is a premier location for the creation and growth of health industry enterprises. Members of IHIF represent a private/public alliance of manufacturers, suppliers, educational institutions, health care providers, service providers and government. Additional information about IHIF is available at http://www.ihif.org/. About Lilly Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class 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 http://www.lilly.com/. 1. The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas. Available at: http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=3B96906B-C026-2FD3-87B73F80BC22682A. 2. "All About Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp. 3. "Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes in the United States." American Diabetes Association. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/cost-of-diabetes-in-us.jsp. O-LLY (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Lauren Cislak of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-655-5180; or Michael Brooks of IHIF, +1-317-278-9972

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