Eli Lilly enzastaurin Phase III study fails to meet primary endpoint

A statistically significant increase in disease-free survival in patients at high risk of relapse following rituximab-based chemotherapy compared to placebo was not observed.

The safety data were steady with previously disclosed studies and no new safety findings were noted.

Lilly Oncology product development and medical affairs vice president Richard Gaynor said, "However, our oncology pipeline is still one of the most robust across the industry containing more than 20 molecules, including two Phase III molecules in five different tumor types."

The company’s decision to stop the development of enzastaurin, is expected to result in a second-quarter charge to R&D expense of approximately $30m.