Zyprexa

7.

The pharmaceutical company's new drug pipeline is considered to be one of the best in the industry.

- FRANK ESPICH / The Star New from Lilly Key drugs in late, mid- and early-stage development: Survivin ASO (cancer) - early; mid-phase study to start next year.

"Lilly is in very solid shape in relation to its peers.

I like to say we're holding a pretty good hand," the drug maker's president, John C.

Lechleiter, told Wall Street stock analysts and others Friday.The drug firm's upbeat self- assessment and peek into its new drug pipeline came durin...

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial predicted earnings of $3.08 in 2006.

The company said it expects to submit five new products to government regulators for review in the next four years as it seeks new indications for existing products.

Advertisement It plans to submit an application for Arxxant, a drug to prevent blindness caused by diabetes, to regulators by the end of February.

Some analysts were expecting a submission later this year but don't believe the delay is significant.

Another drug that has piqued analysts' interest is blood thinner Prasugrel, which the company expects to submit in 2007.

Analysts agree Prasugrel has blockbuster potential.

Lilly also said it plans to reduce the average development cost for new drugs by one-third, to $800 million from $1.2 billion by the end of the decade.

Lilly shares rose $1.20, or 2.3 percent, to close at $53.41 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

RETURN TO TOP Business Headlines J&J, BSC joust to buy Guidant No decision reached by jury on Vioxx case All smiles as Eli Lilly exceeds projections Lower oil prices grease path for markets to turn higher Verizon freezing pensions Housing prices at new high Hospital sale to be complete Jan.

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