Biodiversity

Case Studies

Leading the Industry in Ecologically Sound Endotoxin Testing

Lilly applauds the US Pharmacopeia’s (USP) addition of recombinant reagents, including rFC, for use in the bacterial endotoxins test as a sustainable alternative over horseshoe crab-sourced LAL. This is an important step that will help pave the way for the broader use of recombinant reagents in the pharmaceutical industry. This new test chapter is especially important now, given that several horseshoe crabs and associated species are threatened or endangered by habitat loss and overharvesting. This important change will positively impact the ecosystems that depend on them and their eggs, including the Red Knot migratory shorebird. Lilly began implementing rFC testing in 2016 to detect the presence of harmful bacterial toxins in the injectable manufacturing process. Lilly will continue to be an industry leader in using rFC, having converted 80% of our testing of medicines, including all our latest diabetes and obesity medicines. We have recently invested time and technology to fully automate the rFC testing process. USP’s adoption of recombinant reagents, based on proven, peer-reviewed science, will enable us to evaluate the best way to transition the remainder of our medicines. Using rFC is also more sustainable because it does not depend on a natural resource. Sustainability is central not only to our purpose but also to our growth agenda. Limiting our dependence on natural resources, in this case, horseshoe crabs, is not only the right thing to do but also makes Lilly a stronger, more resilient company.

External Collaborations and Partnerships

Biodiversity is a broad topic, and it is important to understand where the pharmaceutical sector can make a difference. Recognizing this, Lilly is proactively engaged in collaborative efforts with external partners and industry working groups to assess and prioritize the risks to biodiversity. 

This collaborative approach is a critical element for refining Lilly's biodiversity strategy and implementation plan. By actively involving external stakeholders, including environmental organizations, research institutions and industry peers, we can better ensure that our strategies are informed by a holistic understanding of biodiversity-related risks and opportunities. 

Biodiversity Research Collaboration

In 2023, Lilly initiated a collaborative biodiversity project with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The aim of this project is to assess the implication of the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) frameworks, which emerged following COP15, on sites where we operate. The collaboration also aims to evaluate TNFD's LEAP (Locate, Evaluate, Assess and Prepare) approach for Lilly's global sites, excluding upstream operations. This analysis will help inform further strategies and prioritization of biodiversity-related projects and metrics. 

See important information about our Sustainability report.