AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, September 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- 1.8 million Euro research partnership programme aims to promote 
diabetes research and increase public awareness of the burden of diabetes

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), the European
Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD), the Chinese Diabetes Society
(CDS) and Eli Lilly and Company today announced a long-term funding
relationship for Chinese diabetes research. On the occasion of the 43rd
Annual Meeting of EASD in Amsterdam, the partnership initiative was unveiled
to the public.

The research partnership programme was established to promote
collaborative diabetes research between Europe and China. "China is facing an
alarming increase of diabetes patients and estimations for the year 2025
clearly show that rapid action is needed to investigate therapeutic solutions
to meet the needs of millions of patients in our country," said Professor
Yang Wen Ying, President of the Chinese Diabetes Society.

Through a sponsorship from Lilly of 1.8 million euros, one EASD
post-graduate course and a number of EFSD research grants per year will be
supported to encourage young Chinese researchers to investigate in the field
of diabetes.

"In our efforts to gain a deeper understanding of this serious condition,
we think it is crucial to look beyond Europe and gain insights from a variety
of different regions. We believe that this partnership prepares the grounds
to rapidly diffuse acquired knowledge and to facilitate its application in
the country as well as benefit our global understanding of the disease," said
Professor Ele Ferrannini, President of EASD and EFSD.

"Lilly is proud to partner with EASD, EFSD and the Chinese Diabetes
Society to increase collaborative research initiatives between China and
Europe. We are deeply committed to scientific research and bringing
breakthrough pharmaceutical products to diabetes patients. Developing
educational and support programmes that directly benefit people living with
and treating diabetes across China and around the world is also part of our
commitment to fight this disease," said John Lechleiter, Ph.D., President and
Chief Operating Officer at Eli Lilly and Company.

In cooperation with EFSD, Eli Lilly and Company is also funding the
EFSD/Lilly Diabetes Research Programme in Europe. During the period
2003-2005, programme funds totalled 1 million euros. A further 1.2 million
euros was made available for research grants during the period 2006-2008.
Each year, up to four grants are awarded, each to the value of 100,000 euros.

For more information about existing grant and fellowship programmes
sponsored by EFSD and Eli Lilly, please visit the EFSD website:
www.EuropeanDiabetesFoundation.org.

About Diabetes

Described as an 'epidemic' or 'time bomb', diabetes currently affects an
estimated 246 million people worldwide(1) - this is set to increase to 380
million by 2025.(2)

In virtually every developed society, diabetes is ranked among the
leading causes of blindness, renal failure and lower limb amputation, as well
as death through its effects on cardiovascular disease (70-80 percent of
people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease).(3)

Because of its population size and its fast economic development, China
has the greatest potential to suffer from an exploding diabetes epidemic.(4)
The prevalence of diabetes will rise from more than 39 million in 2007 to an
estimated 56 million in 2025.(5)

About EASD/EFSD

In 1999, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)
increased its commitment to stimulate diabetes research in Europe by creating
the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD). The Foundation is
closely related to EASD; it is governed exclusively by the Executive
Committee of EASD, which itself is under the close supervision of the EASD
Council and General Assembly. EFSD operates on a strictly non-profit basis
under the control of the relevant authorities for charity and taxation in
order to support diabetes research.

Since its inception, EFSD has committed over 42.5 million euros to
diabetes research in Europe by means of partnership grant programmes,
resource awards and fellowships. In the last five years, the Foundation has
become a significant European funding agency for diabetes research, and is
continually striving to enhance awareness in Europe of the severity and
magnitude of this devastating disease.

About The Chinese Diabetes Society

Founded in 1991, the Chinese Diabetes Society conducts public education
programs, epidemiological surveys and research in China. The mission of CDS
is to prevent and treat diabetes and provide information to help educate
people living with diabetes, their families, health care professionals, and
the public about this disease. Each year, the CDS organizes a national
diabetes conference and is actively involved in providing continuous
education for physicians. The CDS has played an important role in diabetes
care, academic exchange and scientific research in China. The Society is a
member of the International Diabetes Federation.

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, Indiana, Lilly provides answers -- through
medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical
needs.

REFERENCES

    (1) International Diabetes Federation, 2006 Diabetes Atlas, Third
        edition, p. 35 (Figure 1).
    (2) International Diabetes Federation, Prevalence / All diabetes.
        Available at:
        http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?node=264. Accessed July 30, 2007
    (3) International Diabetes Federation, Complications.
        Available at: http://www.eatlas.idf.org/Complications/. Accessed
        July 30, 2007
    (4) International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas, Third edition,
        p.33.
    (5) International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas, Third edition,
        tables 1.37 and 1.38.



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