In the world of the pharma patent cliff, Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) stands in a particularly vulnerable spot. As the drugmaker awaits clinical trial results from a late-stage Alzheimer’s candidate, company leaders are faced with reports of decreasing revenue and more patent expirations. They are crossing their fingers that solanezumab, which most analysts lack confidence in, meets its benchmarks. Meanwhile, a competitor’s Alzheimer’s candidate is at the same point in the clinical trial process. Analysts suggest that success with solanezumab could make a secure future for Lilly in the Alzheimer’s treatment market. A failure, on the other hand, would set Lilly even further back in its battle against the patent cliff.
