Driven by the unprecedented success of its diabetes and weight-loss franchise, CEO David Ricks received a compensation package totaling $36.7 million for 2025.
Momentum from the GLP-1 boom
According to the proxy filing with the SEC, Ricks’ pay saw a significant jump from $29.2 million the previous year. The primary driver behind this increase was the breakthrough performance of the tirzepatide duo. Specifically, sales of these products surged from $16.5 billion in 2024 to $36.5 billion in 2025, accounting for the vast majority of the group’s $65.2 billion total revenue.
Since Ricks took the helm in 2017, the company’s market capitalization has skyrocketed from $82 billion to over $1 trillion, making it the first biopharmaceutical firm to reach this milestone.
Breakdown of executive pay
CEO David Ricks’ $36.7 million package consists of:
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Stock awards: $23.3 million.
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Performance bonuses: $6.8 million.
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Base salary: $1.7 million.
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Other benefits: Increases in pension value and additional incentives.
In addition to the CEO, other key executives also received substantial compensation. Chief Scientific Officer Daniel Skovronsky was awarded $17.8 million, while the CFO and Chief Legal Officer received $8.5 million and $9.8 million, respectively. With these figures, Ricks is likely to rank as the highest-paid CEO in the global pharmaceutical industry for this fiscal year.
Source: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/lilly-rewards-ceo-ricks-367m-pay-package-2025