On Nov. 21, 2003, Cialis (tadalafil), discovered through a Glaxo Wellcome and ICOS Corp. partnership, was first approved by the FDA for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).

Cialis is indicated for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED), men with the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and men with both ED and the signs and symptoms of BPH. If Cialis is used with finasteride to initiate BPH treatment, such use is recommended for up to 26 weeks.

In 1998, ICOS and Eli Lilly formed the Lilly ICOS joint venture to further develop and commercialize tadalafil as a treatment for ED. Cialis is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 for the treatment of ED.

ICOS was founded in 1989 by Robert Nowinski, Christopher Henney and George Rathmann. The company was focused on discovering, developing and commercializing treatments for inflammation and other serious diseases. In 2006, ICOS was acquired by Eli Lilly and Co. for $2.1 billion.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations.