Trinity Health, along with co-filers, has urged Eli Lilly and Co shareholders to vote for a proposal at the annual meeting on May 6, 2024, that would require the company to consider the impact on patient access when applying for secondary or tertiary patents. The proposal aims to address the issue of extended patent exclusivities, which can delay generic drug entry, limit patient access, and increase healthcare costs. Studies cited in the communication highlight the significant price increases for top brand name drugs, including Eli Lilly's Trulicity, and the use of patent systems by drugmakers to extend monopolies. The Federal Trade Commission has challenged the improper listing of patents in the FDA's 'Orange Book' and has scrutinized the use...Show More

Trinity Health, along with co-filers, has urged Eli Lilly and Co shareholders to vote for a proposal at the annual meeting on May 6, 2024, that would require the company to consider the impact on patient access when applying for secondary or tertiary patents. The proposal aims to address the issue of extended patent exclusivities, which can delay generic drug entry, limit patient access, and increase healthcare costs. Studies cited in the communication highlight the significant price increases for top brand name drugs, including Eli Lilly's Trulicity, and the use of patent systems by drugmakers to extend monopolies. The Federal Trade Commission has challenged the improper listing of patents in the FDA's 'Orange Book' and has scrutinized the use of patent thickets by pharmaceutical companies. The proposal does not seek to prohibit Eli Lilly from obtaining secondary and tertiary patents but to include patient access in the decision-making process. Trinity Health emphasizes the need for a policy change and reporting to ensure shareholders are informed of Eli Lilly's adoption of the policy.