Lilly builds case for a third CDK4/6 inhibitor, but may struggle to differentiate late-to-market abemaciclib

Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has presented results at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress in Madrid, which look set to bolster the Indianapolis-based firm’s hopes of competing in the CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitor space with its candidate abemaciclib.

The data from the Phase III MONARCH 3 trial pitted the breast cancer candidate against placebo. All 493 enrollees had also received standard endocrine therapy.

The 18-month interim analysis showed Lilly’s option reduced the risk of disease progression by 46%, the company said. The objective response rate was 59% in the abemaciclib arm and 44% in the placebo cohort.