Lilly’s Lechleiter back at helm after health scare

Eli Lilly and Co. Chairman and CEO John Lechleiter is back to full-time work after taking a leave in May to have surgery for a dilated aorta, the company announced Monday morning.

The Indianapolis drugmaker said both a company doctor and Lechleiter's personal physician have cleared the 59-year-old to return.

Lechleiter had the surgery May 13. Chief Financial Officer Derica Rice served as acting CEO for the Indianapolis-based drug company during Lechleiter's leave, and independent director Ellen Marram served as acting chairwoman.

Lechleiter was expected to make a full recovery from the surgery. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, and Lechleiter's condition was discovered during unrelated testing. The executive had not experienced any symptoms.

Lilly shares rose 29 cents, to $50.87 each, in premarket trading Monday.