Eli Lilly´s second phase-3 trial for breast cancer drug fails to meet interim criteria

Eli Lilly´s second third-phase clinical trial, Monarch-2, for its breast cancer treatment Abemaciclib failed to meet interim efficacy criteria.

In the interim analysis, its drug, in combination with fulvestrant, failed to meet the necessary criteria when compared with the results from treatment with a placebo together with fulvestrant in women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

"We had stringent criteria set for this interim analysis and we look forward to receiving the final MONARCH 2 results in the first half of 2017," said Richard Gaynor, M.D., senior vice president, product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology.

"We remain optimistic that treatment with abemaciclib, in combination with fulvestrant could offer improved outcomes for patients."

The trial was set to continue into the first half of 2017 and would include a final analysis of 'progression-free-survival', overall survival and safety data, the company said in a statement.

As of 15:34 BST shares of the drug giant were down by 1.36% to $81.50.