Eli Lilly and Company and academic leadership from one of the company’s clinical trial programs have accepted the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee to terminate the Phase III trial of the investigational medicine evacetrapib due to insufficient efficacy. Lilly will discontinue development of evacetrapib for the treatment of high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and will now conclude other studies in the program.

The independent data monitoring committee based its recommendation on data from periodic data reviews, which suggested there was a low probability the study would achieve its primary endpoint based on results to date. The study is not being stopped for safety findings. After further analysis, results of the study will be presented in scientific forums in the future.

The decision to discontinue development of evacetrapib is expected to result in a fourth-quarter charge to research and development expense of up to $90 million (pre-tax).

Source: Eli Lilly and Company