Lilly ICOS LLC

     
BW20020725002442  20020725T190243Z UTC


( BW)(ELI-LILLY)(BC43) Lilly ICOS LLC: Tadalafil Receives Positive
Opinion from European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products

    Business Editors
    UK REGULATORY NEWS

    INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2002--

Lilly ICOS LLC (NYSE:LLY)(Nasdaq:ICOS) announced today that the
European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) has
issued a positive opinion for tadalafil, an investigational oral PDE5
inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The CPMP has
recommended to the European Commission that approval should be
granted.

"We are extremely pleased by the CPMP's recommendation for approval of
tadalafil in Europe," said Richard Pilnik, president of European
operations for Lilly. "This positive action by the CPMP brings
tadalafil one step closer to approval and launch in the European
Union, and will soon help bring a new therapy to millions of men who
suffer from ED."

"Based on its clinical profile, we are confident in the value and
potential for tadalafil," said Paul Clark, ICOS chairman and chief
executive officer. "ED is a significant problem. In Europe alone, an
estimated 31 million men suffer from the condition."

The CPMP, comprised of regulators from the European Union countries,
based its positive opinion on its review of the comprehensive data
package of tadalafil. The submission was comprised of more than 60
studies in more than 4,000 humans to characterize the safety and
efficacy profile of tadalafil.

Following the CPMP's positive opinion, the application will be
reviewed by the European Commission, which has authority to grant
marketing authorization for the European Union. This authorization is
anticipated for later this year.

About Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the consistent inability to attain
and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. ED affects
an estimated 152 million men and their partners worldwide.(1) Up to 80
percent of ED cases are caused by physiological conditions, including
cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with psychological factors
accounting for the remaining 20 percent. In many cases, however, both
psychological and physical factors contribute to the condition.(2)

About Lilly ICOS LLC

Lilly ICOS LLC, a joint venture between ICOS Corporation and Eli Lilly
and Company, is developing tadalafil for the treatment of sexual
dysfunction.

Eli Lilly and Company, 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
organisations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly provides
answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's
most urgent medical needs.

ICOS Corporation is a product-driven company that has expertise in
both protein-based and small molecule therapeutics. The Company
combines its capabilities in molecular, cellular and structural
biology, high throughput drug screening, medicinal chemistry and gene
expression profiling to develop highly innovative products with
significant commercial potential. The Company applies its integrated
approach to erectile dysfunction and other urologic disorders, sepsis,
pulmonary arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, and
inflammatory diseases. ICOS' strategy targets multiple therapeutic
areas with drugs that act through distinct molecular mechanisms,
increasing the Company's opportunities to market breakthrough
products.

Certain of the matters discussed herein with respect to clinical
studies and ICOS and Lilly's products may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry,
management beliefs and certain assumptions made by management.
Investors are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including economic,
competitive, governmental, technological and other factors discussed
in the two companies' respective filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which may affect the business and prospects of
the two companies. More specifically, there can be no assurance that
this product will achieve commercial success or that competing
products will not pre-empt any market opportunity that might exist for
the product.

(1) Aytac et. Al BJU International, 1999:84:50-56.

(2) Impotence World Association, www.impotenceworld.org

   Short Name: Lilly (Eli) & Co
   Category Code: MSC
   Sequence Number: 00000520
   Time of Receipt (offset from UTC): 20020725T195031+0100

    --30--db/in*

    CONTACT:  Lilly
              Jane Calloway, 317/651-5870
              Frances Beves, 44 127 648 4810
                            or
              ICOS
              Lacy Fitzpatrick, 425/415-2207

    KEYWORD: INDIANA UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD:  MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
    SOURCE:  Lilly (Eli) & Co

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