AbbVie vs Eli Lilly: Founders, CEOs and History
AbbVie was founded in 2013 by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin) and is led by Robert A. Michael. Eli Lilly was founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly and is led by David A. Ricks.
Company facts
Founders
AbbVie
Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin)
Abbott Laboratories was AbbVie's corporate predecessor. AbbVie's official launch materials describe the company as formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. Richard A.
Eli Lilly
Colonel Eli Lilly
Following his military service and early experiences in the apothecary trade, Lilly worked in various pharmaceutical and business ventures, eventually amassing enough capital to strike out on his own.
CEOs and their tenures
AbbVie
- Richard A. Gonzalez2013–2024
Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Served as AbbVie's chief executive officer from its formation in 2013 through June 2024 and as executive chairman through June 2025.
Source - Robert A. Michael2024–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Became chief executive officer on July 1, 2024 and chairman on July 1, 2025. He previously led finance, commercial operations, and corporate strategy roles at AbbVie.
Source
Eli Lilly
- Sidney Taurel1998–2008
Former Chair and CEO
Taurel's focus on targeted, personalized medicine anticipated the future direction of the pharmaceutical industry, shifting the company's research paradigm toward more precise and effective treatments.
Source - David A. Ricks2017–present
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Ricks's aggressive restructuring and cultural overhaul have been widely credited with revitalizing Eli Lilly's pipeline and driving a notable period of financial growth and market capitalization expansion.
Source
Timeline: AbbVie and Eli Lilly side by side
1876Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly Founded
Colonel Eli Lilly founds the company in Indianapolis.
1923Eli Lilly
Insulin Commercialization
Lilly helps commercialize insulin at industrial scale, shaping its long-term diabetes identity.
1950Eli Lilly
Antibiotic Expansion
The company expands through antibiotics and broader prescription medicines.
1982Eli Lilly
Humulin Approved
Lilly introduces Humulin, one of the first recombinant DNA human insulin products.
2013AbbVie
AbbVie Launches as an Independent Company
AbbVie launched after Abbott Laboratories separated its research-based pharmaceutical business and began NYSE trading under ABBV.
2015AbbVie
Pharmacyclics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Pharmacyclics, adding Imbruvica and expanding its hematologic oncology business.
2017Eli Lilly
David Ricks Becomes CEO
David A. Ricks becomes Chair, President, and CEO.
2019AbbVie
Skyrizi Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Skyrizi for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in April 2019.
2019AbbVie
Rinvoq Receives Initial U.S. Approval
The FDA approved Rinvoq for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in August 2019.
2020AbbVie
Allergan Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed the Allergan acquisition, adding neuroscience, eye care, and Allergan Aesthetics products including Botox and Juvederm.
2022Eli Lilly
Mounjaro Approved
Mounjaro receives U.S. approval for type 2 diabetes, beginning a major growth cycle.
2023AbbVie
U.S. Humira Biosimilar Competition Begins
Humira began facing U.S. biosimilar competition, and AbbVie reported a subsequent decline in Humira revenue.
2023Eli Lilly
Zepbound Approved
Zepbound receives U.S. approval for chronic weight management.
2024AbbVie
ImmunoGen Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen, adding Elahere and antibody-drug conjugate programs.
2024AbbVie
Robert A. Michael Becomes CEO
Robert A. Michael succeeded Richard A. Gonzalez as chief executive officer effective July 1, 2024.
2024AbbVie
Cerevel Therapeutics Acquisition Completed
AbbVie completed its acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics, adding clinical-stage neuroscience programs.
2025AbbVie
Robert A. Michael Becomes Chairman
Robert A. Michael added the chairman role effective July 1, 2025, when Richard A. Gonzalez retired from the board.
2025AbbVie
FY2025 Revenue Reaches $61.160 Billion
AbbVie reported FY2025 net revenue of $61.160 billion and net income of $4.226 billion.
2025Eli Lilly
Revenue Reaches $65.179B
Lilly reports $65.179B in 2025 revenue and $20.640B in net income.
2025Eli Lilly
First $1 Trillion Drugmaker
Lilly's market value crosses $1 trillion on November 21, 2025, a first for a healthcare company.
2026AbbVie
Q1 2026 Revenue Reaches $15.002 Billion
AbbVie reported first-quarter 2026 net revenue of $15.002 billion, up 12.4 percent on a reported basis.
2026Eli Lilly
Foundayo Approved
FDA approves Foundayo (orforglipron), Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill for obesity, on April 1, 2026.
Acquisitions
AbbVie
- ImmunoGen, Inc.2024$10.1B
- Cerevel Therapeutics2024$8.7B
- Allergan plc2020$63B
- Pharmacyclics, Inc.2015$21B
Eli Lilly
- Morphic Holding2024$3.2B
- POINT Biopharma2023$1.4B
- Prevail Therapeutics2021$1B
- Loxo Oncology2019$8B
Questions about AbbVie vs Eli Lilly
Who is the CEO of AbbVie Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company?
AbbVie Inc. is led by Robert A. Michael and Eli Lilly and Company is led by David A. Ricks. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was AbbVie Inc. founded vs Eli Lilly and Company?
Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 — 137 years before AbbVie Inc., which was founded in 2013. Eli Lilly and Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger AbbVie Inc..
How many employees does AbbVie Inc. have compared to Eli Lilly and Company?
AbbVie Inc. employs approximately 57,000 people, while Eli Lilly and Company employs approximately 50,000. AbbVie Inc. has the larger workforce at 57,000 employees, compared to Eli Lilly and Company's 50,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are AbbVie Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company headquartered?
Both AbbVie Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded AbbVie Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company?
AbbVie Inc. was founded by Abbott Laboratories (spin-off origin). Eli Lilly and Company was founded by Colonel Eli Lilly.
Which company has a longer operating history — AbbVie Inc. or Eli Lilly and Company?
Eli Lilly and Company has been operating for approximately 150 years, making it the more established of the two companies. AbbVie Inc. has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the AbbVie vs Eli Lilly overview