Dr. Frank Deane has been promoted to president, manufacturing at Lilly from his current role of vice president, quality. He will succeed Scott Canute, who has led the manufacturing organization since 2001. Mr. Canute, after six years of leading a transformation in the company's manufacturing operations, is taking a leave of absence from the company to "pursue a personal developmental opportunity," according to a Lilly statement.

Mr. Deane joined Lilly in 1979 at the company's manufacturing operations in Kinsale, Ireland, and held a number of manufacturing positions there until transferring to Lilly's Clinton Laboratories in Indiana in 1986. After a role in development projects management in Indianapolis, he moved to Puerto Rico, where he had general management responsibility for drug product and active pharmaceutical ingredient production. He returned to Indianapolis in 1993 as the general manager of Lilly's U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, and in 1997 assumed responsibilities for the company's worldwide API operations. He was named to his current role as vice president, quality, in 2001.

"Frank brings over 28 years of manufacturing and quality experience to his new role," said Sidney Taurel, chairman and chief executive officer. "He has been instrumental in ensuring global quality standards and systems throughout the company, and we are pleased that we will have his experience and leadership in the coming years as we continue to develop and manufacture important medicines."

Mr. Deane will report to John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer. He will remain a member of the company's operations committee, and will also join the corporate policy and strategy committee. He will assume his new role effective June 1, 2007.

Mr. Canute, current president, manufacturing, will take a leave of absence from the company to pursue additional study in the field of business leadership and development. Mr. Taurel remarked, "Many changes have occurred during Scott's tenure as president of our manufacturing operations, and he has successfully led that important part of our business to the strong position it is in today. Not only did the organization achieve new levels of compliance and control under Scott's leadership, but it also exceeded its operational goals. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to personally thank Scott for his significant leadership during a challenging period for our manufacturing operations. We will miss his leadership and wish him the best as he undertakes this new personal endeavor."