Eli Lilly to discontinue development of heart drug evacetrapib

The company said that the drug was being explored for the treatment of high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Lilly Bio-Medicines senior vice president and president David Ricks said: "We’re obviously disappointed in this outcome, as we hoped that evacetrapib would offer an advance in treatment for people with high-risk cardiovascular disease.

"We’ll be working with investigators to appropriately conclude these trials."

Lilly discontinued study on the evacetrapib based on the recommendation of an independent data-monitoring committee, which cited that the drug is ineffective.

The committee’s recommendation was given as per data obtained from periodic reviews, which suggested there was a low probability the study would achieve its primary endpoint based on results till date.

According to Lilly, the decision to discontinue development of evacetrapib is expected to result in a fourth-quarter charge to research and development expense of up to $90m.

Lilly executive vice president and chief financial officer Derica Ricesaid: "Our recent string of positive data-readouts and our strong pipeline position us to grow revenue and expand margins through the remainder of this decade."

In February, Lilly accepted the recommendation of the Accelerate study academic executive committee to extend the trial of evacetrapib by about six months.

The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the medicine in participants with high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

The phase III trial was being conducted at 540 sites in 37 countries, with 12,095 patients enrolled.

Image: Evacetrapib is used for the treatment of high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Photo: courtesy of Eli Lilly and Company