Covance and Lilly Honored with Alliance Excellence Award

Covance Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company were recently honored by the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) with a 2014 Alliance Excellence Award for a long established alliance. The two companies were recognised for their transformative collaboration that has infused greater efficiency and quality into the drug development process and enabled new medicines to advance to market sooner.

"Our awards committee was impressed by the many ways in which this groundbreaking alliance continues to evolve — utilising best practices in alliance management, harnessing technologies, building a collaborative culture and investing in process innovation," said Michael Leonetti, ASAP president and CEO. "We also commend this partnership's willingness to share their knowledge and experiences, and further contribute to the advance of the alliance management profession."

As a result of this unique alliance, Covance and Lilly completed more than 11,000 studies in support of discovery research and more than 500 toxicology studies supporting nearly 50 different molecules. More than 800 studies have been conducted spanning late-stage development, including clinical, central laboratories, genomics, biomarkers and companion diagnostics. Joint training programmes ensure that the companies maintain leading edge competencies given the highly competitive global pharmaceutical market.

"We are 5 years strong into our industry-pioneering alliance with Covance, designed to support the transformation of our R&D model," commented Andrew Dahlem, PhD, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Lilly Research Laboratories (LRL) and LRL Europe. "Working together, we have improved research and development efficiencies, reduced costs, and accelerated drug development timelines by as much as 50%. Ultimately, we are measuring success against our most important goal — to speed quality, innovative medicines to patients."

In 2008, as part of the original agreement, Lilly transferred their Greenfield, Ind. facility and approximately 250 employees to Covance. With the addition of 300 new jobs and seven new services since, the Covance Greenfield site now supports development innovation for more than 150 biopharmaceutical companies, in addition to Lilly, with expanded services that include biomarkers, biologic compounds, bioanalysis, and a full biorepository to help companies efficiently store biosamples. The Greenfield operations combined with the multiplied effects of those operations involving other companies are estimated to have added 564 jobs, $35.7 million in wages annually, and $102.4 million in annual output to the state of Indiana, according to a report by Crowe Horwath.

"Receiving this award is not only an important endorsement of our business strategy, it also reflects the dedication and expertise of the employees who have been the driving force behind this strategic partnership," added John Watson, President, Strategic Partnering, and Chief Commercial Officer, Covance. "As a result of our connected and forward-thinking partnership, the alliance continues to exceed expectations and deliver enormous value to both Lilly and Covance."