By Michael Calia
Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) said Wednesday that its ramucirumab
drug reached its primary endpoint in a Phase III study for lung
cancer treatment.
Shares of Lilly rose 3.1% to $56.94 in recent premarket
trading.
The company said it plans to submit its first application of the
study data to regulators this year.
The treatment--combined with chemotherapy for patients with
second-line non-small cell lung cancer--showed "statistically
significant improvement" in overall survival and progression-free
survival, the company said.
"We are pleased with these Phase III data of ramucirumab in
non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for most cases of lung
cancer--the leading cause of cancer-related mortality world-wide,"
said Dr. Richard Gaynor, an executive in Lilly's oncology business.
"Despite currently available therapies, there continues to be a
need for new second-line treatment options for patients with lung
cancer."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October assigned
priority review status for ramucirumab as a treatment for advanced
gastric cancer.
Write to Michael Calia at michael.calia@wsj.com
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