FIELD : medicine.SUBSTANCE : invention relates to the field of medicine and biology and is a new agent with apoptosis-inhibiting (anti-apoptotic) activity. Tool can be used to correct conditions associated with an increase in the level of cell apoptosis (oxidative stress, ischemic damage), as well as an inhibitor of apoptosis in cell cultures in vitro. Tool is a crystalline lithium pyruvate of general formula C3H3O3Li.EFFECT : invention expands the arsenal of agents with apoptosis-inhibiting activity, and can be used in medicine and biology.1 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl, 1 ex