Eli Lilly and Company          
Lauren R. Cislak, 317-276-6337 
Pager, 877-406-9850

Eli Lilly and Company: Second Clinical Trial Substantiates Survival
Benefit Associated with Xigris in Lilly's Pivotal Phase III Trial

EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 @ 10:45 a.m. EST

ENHANCE Study Corroborates Robust Treatment Effect Associated with
Xigris in Adult Severe Sepsis Patients

New research findings substantiate those observed in the landmark
PROWESS(1) trial, in which nearly one of every three adult severe
sepsis patients at high risk of death, who otherwise would have died,
survived with the addition of Xigris(R) (drotrecogin alfa
(activated))(2). Xigris is the first and only therapy proven to
increase survival in adult patients with severe sepsis who are at high
risk of death. Severe sepsis claims approximately 215,000 lives each
year in the United States.

ENHANCE, the largest trial ever conducted in severe sepsis, was a
global, single-arm, open-label trial of Xigris in patients with severe
sepsis. Results from this trial, which enrolled 2,378 adult patients,
were presented for the first time today at the 69th Annual
International Scientific Assembly of the American College of Chest
Physicians (ACCP).

Data from ENHANCE substantiate the survival benefit associated with
Xigris observed in PROWESS. In addition, compared to the PROWESS
placebo population, these data demonstrate that administration of
Xigris was associated with significant improvement in organ function.

                       Global
                       ENHANCE           PROWESS           PROWESS
                       (DrotAA)          (DrotAA)          (Placebo)
                       (N = 2378)        (n = 850)         (n = 840)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
28-Day mortality        25.3%             24.7%           30.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The eligibility criteria and dosing regimen for both PROWESS and
ENHANCE were similar.

"If we are to adopt what we have learned from PROWESS and ENHANCE, as
we should, we must translate the clinical implications of the findings
into practical application at the bedside," said Jean-Louis Vincent,
M.D., Ph.D., head, department of Intensive Care, Erasme University
Hospital, Brussels, Belgium, and the principal European investigator
in both trials.

"To reduce mortality from severe sepsis, our challenge, then, is
twofold. First, we must identify severe sepsis patients earlier in the
disease progression. Second, we must employ aggressive interventions
earlier in the progression of severe sepsis. Clearly, this includes
use of Xigris for patients who meet the criteria."

ENHANCE was initiated shortly after completion of the PROWESS trial.
The purpose was to collect additional efficacy and safety data for
Xigris when treating adult severe sepsis patients.

"The successful completion of ENHANCE now provides a second trial
supporting the use of Xigris," said William Macias, M.D., medical
director, Xigris Product Team, Eli Lilly and Company. "The data from
ENHANCE were remarkably consistent with those of PROWESS, and,
furthermore, demonstrate that for the same level of disease severity,
patients treated within the first day of organ failure had
significantly lower mortality compared to those patients treated after
the first day."

Safety Assessment

Analysis of safety data from ENHANCE did not identify any new risks
associated with Xigris. Serious bleeding complications associated with
Xigris were observed in 2.4 percent of patients in PROWESS and 3.6
percent in ENHANCE, as compared to 1.0 percent in the placebo arm of
the PROWESS study. In ENHANCE approximately 50 percent of these
complications were associated with procedures.

About Sepsis

The leading cause of death in the non-coronary intensive care unit
(ICU), severe sepsis claims the lives of more than 215,000 people in
the United States every year, largely as a consequence of rapid organ
failure during the most life-threatening stage of the illness - the
first 28 days. Further, incidence of severe sepsis is expected to rise
at a minimum annual rate of 1.5 percent. Conservatively, severe sepsis
will strike an estimated 934,000 people - in America alone - by 2010;
the overwhelming majority of whom will be 65 years and older.(3)

About Xigris

Xigris (drotrecogin alfa (activated)) from Eli Lilly and Company
(NYSE:LLY) is a recombinant form of human Activated Protein C. It is
administered by intravenous infusion and is available in 5 and 20 mg
vials.

Xigris is indicated for the reduction of mortality in adult patients
with severe sepsis (sepsis associated with acute organ dysfunction)
who have a high risk of death (e.g., as determined by APACHE II).

Efficacy of Xigris has not been established in adult patients with
severe sepsis and a lower risk of death. Safety and efficacy have not
been established in pediatric patients with severe sepsis. Lilly is
undertaking large-scale trials to investigate the use of Xigris in
lower risk patients and in children with severe sepsis, as well as the
optimal use of low-dose heparin with Xigris.

Bleeding events are common in patients with severe sepsis. In the
PROWESS trial, bleeding was the most common adverse reaction
associated with Xigris therapy. Serious bleeding events, including
intracranial hemorrhage, were observed during the 28-day study period
in 3.5 percent of Xigris-treated patients and 2.0 percent of
placebo-treated patients. The difference in serious bleeding occurred
primarily during infusion.

For complete Xigris (drotrecogin alfa (activated)) prescribing
information and labeling, call 800-423-2313 or visit www.Xigris.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a
growing portfolio of 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 www.lilly.com.

Xigris(R) (drotrecogin alfa (activated), Lilly)

(1) Recombinant Human Activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in
Severe Sepsis (Xigris n = 850; placebo n = 840)

(2) Data on file. Eli Lilly and Company.

(3) Angus, D.C., et al. 2001. Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the
United States: analysis of incidence, outcome, and associated costs of
care. Crit. Care Med. 29:1303-1310.