(INDIANAPOLIS) — The recently-named top executive of an Indianapolis-based global pharmaceutical company will be the featured speaker at the Economic Club of Indiana on September 24.

John C. Lechleiter, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., will present “Innovation: The Cure for What Ails Us” during the noon luncheon at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The event concludes at 1:30 p.m.

This is the first luncheon of the 2008-09 Economic Club season.

Lechleiter started his career with Lilly nearly 30 years ago as a senior organic chemist in process research and development. He was named president and chief operating officer in 2005 and then CEO in April 2008. The Harvard graduate is one of only a few major pharmaceutical company CEOs who is also a scientist. His career with Lilly has included top positions in product development and regulatory affairs.

To purchase tickets for this and other Economic Club programs, visit www.economicclubofindiana.com or call (800) 824-6885. Individual seats and tables of 10 are available. Economic Club members will receive a discounted price on all ticket packages, including season tickets.

September’s luncheon is sponsored by St. Francis Hospitals & Health Centers.

The monthly Economic Club of Indiana programs bring together audiences of up to 1,000 people and run from September through May.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization for 86 years. The more than 4,800 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.