Eli Lilly starts Phase III trial for evacetrapib after recommendation

US drug major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) on Monday said it will continue the Phase III trial of the investigational drug candidate evacetrapib (LY2484595) for cardiovascular risk following a recommendation by the Accelerate study data monitoring committee.

The company said the recommendation is based on data from an interim futility analysis. The interim futility test was designed to assess whether the drug had any possibility of achieving its primary endpoints.

Last patient visit in Accelerate, which is evaluating evacetrapib in about 12,000 patients with high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) – is expected in July 2016.