Lilly and Boehringer adjust LY2605541 deal; announce positive Ph III data for empagliflozin

US drug major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and German independent drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim said yesterday that they will adjust the scope of their diabetes alliance with respect to LY2605541, Lilly's novel basal insulin analog, with the US firm reassuming sole worldwide development and commercialization rights to the compound.

Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim formed their diabetes alliance in January 2011, centering on four pipeline compounds representing several of the largest and most promising product classes. While the two companies will continue to jointly develop and commercialize the other assets in the alliance, Boehringer Ingelheim elected to terminate the collaboration with Lilly with respect to LY2605541 given independent strategic portfolio considerations.

"There is an excellent spirit of collaboration in our alliance with Lilly, and we are committed to the continued success in our partnership to develop and commercialize the other molecules within the alliance, including Trajenta (linagliptin), empagliflozin and LY2963016, new insulin glargine product," said Ulrich Drees, corporate senior vice president, international project management at Boehringer Ingelheim.