Eli Lilly celebrates 150 years with events in Florence

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a week-long event titled ‘Guardare Lontano’ (Looking Far) in Florence, Italy. Held at the Forte di Belvedere from September 22 to 27, 2026, the celebration features scientific dissemination, digital art, and cultural meetings.

Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, the company has grown into a global leader in oncology, endocrinology, cardiometabolism, neuroscience, and immunology, providing treatments to over 51 million people. The company has maintained a presence in Florence for over 60 years.

Elias Khalil, President and General Manager of Lilly Italy Hub, stated that the anniversary aims to look toward a future that combines science, artificial intelligence, and real-world evidence to meet unmet patient needs. In 2025, the company invested over $13.3 billion globally in research, with over €20 million invested in Italy over the last three years.