Dave Ricks
CEO of Eli Lilly, who provides insights into the development, success, pricing strategy, and future potential of GLP-1 drugs.
First Mentioned
9/29/2025, 5:01:44 AM
Last Updated
9/29/2025, 5:06:50 AM
Research Retrieved
9/29/2025, 5:06:50 AM
Summary
Dave Ricks is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eli Lilly and Company, a role he assumed in 2017 after joining the company in 1996. A veteran with over 25 years at Lilly, he has been a pivotal figure in the 'GLP-1 Gold Rush,' overseeing the evolution of GLP-1 drugs from diabetes treatments to revolutionary therapies for weight loss and obesity. Under his leadership, Tirzepatide became the world's top-selling drug. Ricks actively addresses critical industry issues, including GLP-1 pricing, the expansion of Eli Lilly's U.S. supply chain through new manufacturing plants, and challenges like counterfeit products, patent hacking, and the biotech venture capital climate. He has announced plans for an oral GLP-1 pill and envisions future applications for GLP-1s in treating addictions and mental health conditions, potentially impacting the SSRI market. Ricks also comments on broader healthcare topics such as Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), NIH funding, FDA regulations, and views AI positively in healthcare, predicting brain diseases as the next major frontier for pharmaceutical innovation. He serves on the boards of Adobe and the Purdue University Board of Trustees, among others, and has acknowledged Novo Nordisk as a key competitor.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Degree
Bachelor's degree in industrial management
Alma Mater
Purdue University
Nationality
American
Current Company
Eli Lilly and Company
Current Position
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Years at Eli Lilly
Over 25 years
Timeline
- Graduated from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management with a bachelor's degree in industrial management. (Source: Web Search)
1990
- Joined Eli Lilly and Company as a business development associate. (Source: Web Search)
1996
- Served as President of Lilly USA, the company's largest affiliate. (Source: Web Search)
2009-2012
- Served as President of Lilly Bio-Medicines, overseeing therapeutic areas including Alzheimer's disease, urology, immunology, musculoskeletal disease, pain, and global marketing. (Source: Web Search)
2012-2016
- Assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Eli Lilly and Company. (Source: Wikipedia)
2017-01-01
- Elected Chairman of the Board of Eli Lilly and Company. (Source: Wikipedia)
2017-06-01
- Under his leadership, Tirzepatide surpassed Keytruda to become the world's top-selling drug. (Source: Related Document)
Recently
- Announced plans for an upcoming oral GLP-1 pill. (Source: Related Document)
Ongoing
- Overseeing significant capital allocation towards expanding Eli Lilly's U.S. supply chain by building numerous manufacturing plants. (Source: Related Document)
Ongoing
- Discusses unexpected applications for GLP-1s in curbing addictions and treating mental health conditions. (Source: Related Document)
Ongoing
- Predicts that brain diseases represent the next major frontier for pharmaceutical innovation. (Source: Related Document)
Ongoing
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaDavid A. Ricks
David A. Ricks is an American businessman. He is currently the chair and chief executive officer of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, assuming both roles in 2017. He is also a member of the board of directors of Adobe and the Purdue University Board of Trustees.
Web Search Results
- David A. Ricks - Businessabc.net
Dave Ricks is an American business executive who currently serves as the chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, a prominent pharmaceutical corporation. He has been with the company for over 20 years, holding various leadership positions in marketing, sales, and international operations. [...] David A. Ricks (Dave Ricks) is the chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical company. With over 25 years of experience at Lilly, Dave has held various roles in marketing, sales, drug development, and international operations. He assumed the position of CEO in January 2017 and became the chair of the company's board of directors in June 2017. [...] Dave Ricks, as the chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, has a clear vision for the company's future. He envisions a world where innovative pharmaceutical solutions improve the lives of people around the globe. Ricks understands the profound impact that medicines can have on individuals and communities, and he is committed to driving advancements in healthcare.
- David Ricks | Chair & CEO | Eli Lilly and Company
# David A. Ricks Chair and Chief Executive Officer Download bio #### Dave Ricks is chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. A Lilly veteran for more than 25 years, with experience in marketing, sales, drug development and international operations, Dave became CEO in January 2017 and was elected chair of the company’s board of directors effective June 2017. [...] Dave serves on the board of directors for Adobe and Business Roundtable. In addition, he is a member of the board and former board chair of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Dave is a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Association’s CEO Steering Committee, The Business Council and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Council for Inclusive Innovation. [...] Dave joined Lilly in 1996 as a business development associate and held several management roles in U.S. marketing and sales before moving into international leadership positions. He led Lilly’s operations as general manager in Canada and China – one of the world’s fastest-growing emerging markets – and then returned as president of Lilly USA, the company’s largest affiliate. In 2012, Dave was promoted to president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, then the company’s largest business unit, overseeing drug
- [PDF] Bio of Speaker
PhRMA Press Conference on January. 28, 2021 Bio of Speaker David A. Ricks Chairman of the Board, PhRMA Chairman and CEO, Eli Lilly and Company Dave Ricks is chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. He became CEO in January 2017 and was elected chairman of the company’s board effective June 2017. A Lilly veteran for more than 20 years, Dave served as president of Lilly Bio-Medicines from 2012 to 2016. Previously, he was president of Lilly USA, the company’s largest affiliate,
- David Ricks - Expert Insights on Healthcare Trends - Health Evolution
### Discussion Leader - Health Evolution Leadership - ## Sharing insights, inspiring change - - ## David A. Ricks Chair & CEO, Eli Lilly and CompanyHealth Evolution Leadership Committee Dave Ricks is chair and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. A Lilly veteran for more than 25 years, with experience in marketing, sales, drug development and international operations, Dave became CEO in January 2017 and was elected chair of the company’s board of directors effective June 2017. [...] Dave is on the board of Adobe and is the immediate past chair of the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Dave is a member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Association’s CEO Steering Committee, The Business Council, Business Roundtable, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Council for Inclusive Innovation. [...] Dave served as president of Lilly Bio-Medicines from 2012 through 2016. He led the company’s largest affiliate, Lilly USA, as president from 2009 to 2012.
- Purdue alum Dave Ricks to become president and CEO at Eli Lilly
Skip to Content News # Purdue alum Dave Ricks to become president and CEO at Eli Lilly Wednesday, July 27, 2016 INDIANAPOLIS, July 27, 2016 -- Eli Lilly and Company today announced that David A. Ricks, an alumnus of Purdue's Krannert School of Management and currently senior vice president and president, Lilly Bio-Medicines, will succeed John C. Lechleiter as president and CEO and join the board on January 1, 2017, and become chairman of the board on June 1, 2017. [...] Ricks earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management in 1990. He chairs the Board of Governors for the Riley Children's Foundation and in 2015 chaired the United Way of Central Indiana's annual campaign. Ricks also sits on the executive board of the Crossroads of America Council of Boy Scouts of America, and on the Advisory Board of the Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. [...] Since January 2012, Ricks has served as president of Lilly Bio-Medicines, which encompasses the therapeutic areas of Alzheimer's disease, urology, immunology, musculoskeletal disease, and pain, as well as the company's global marketing function. Ricks serves on the board of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and has served as co-chair of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue.