Riding opportunities in 'huge unmet needs'

David Ricks shapes US-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly's China market strategy involving local partnerships, focus on chronic conditions

David Ricks is a pharma battle-scarred veteran, having been with Eli Lilly and Co for 20 years. Before he rose to CEO this year, he spent long, sensitive years heading the US giant's bio-medicine business when it faced patent expirations on key medicines.

"That period significantly reduced our revenues, but we had a great team that worked through the challenge," he said.