Lilly's cancer drug more effective than AbbVie's in head-to-head study
Eli Lilly's cancer drug, Jaypirca, has been found to be more effective than AbbVie's Imbruvica in a head-to-head study involving patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. The study met its primary endpoint, showing a higher overall response rate for Jaypirca in both untreated and previously treated patients. Further analysis on patient survival without disease progression is planned.
July 29 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly (LLY.N) said on Tuesday its drug, Jaypirca, was more effective in a head-to-head study against AbbVie’s (ABBV.N) Imbruvica when tested in patients with a type of blood cancer.
The drug was being tested in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.
The disease is characterized by increased production of abnormal white blood cells that have difficulty fighting infections. These faulty cells can be found in the bone marrow or lymph nodes.
The study met its primary endpoint, with Lilly’s drug working as well as AbbVie’s treatment.
Lilly said Jaypirca achieved a higher overall response rate, or the percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks or disappears, compared to Imbruvica in both untreated and previously treated patients.
A further analysis showing survival of patients without progression of disease — a key secondary goal of the study — is planned, it said.
