INDIANAPOLIS, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data from several Lilly Oncology compounds in development a total of 13 studies will be presented during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held in Chicago, Ill. from June 4 8, 2010. Lilly Oncology’s pipeline is one of the largest in the industry, with more than 20 molecules in development.

The pipeline data include two Phase II studies evaluating the use of tasisulam (a novel anti-cancer agent) and ramucirumab (an IgG1 monoclonal antibody) as second-line therapies in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma (ASCO Abstracts #8541 and #8519). Pipeline data will also be presented on Lilly’s cixutumumab (also an IgG1 monoclonal antibody).

“Through our ongoing research efforts around the world, we continue to invest significant resources to fuel innovation,” said Richard Gaynor, M.D., vice president, product development and medical affairs at Lilly Oncology. “In less than two years, we have moved three additional oncology molecules into five major Phase III trials in therapeutic areas with significant unmet medical needs.”

Nearly all the molecules in Lilly’s pipeline are being evaluated for certain biomarkers that can help researchers identify which patients are most likely to respond to these medicines, and as importantly, which are not.

“At Lilly, we know that with cancer time is everything,” said Gaynor. “As such, we’ve built an innovative research strategy in our own labs and in collaboration with several partners to look for ways to tailor medicine in a way that can improve outcomes for individual patients facing cancer.”

Studies of note for tasisulam include:

• Abstract #8541: General Poster Session: Sunday, June 6, 2010, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
  • A phase II study of tasisulam sodium (LY573636) as second-line treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
  • Author/ Speaker: John Munn Kirkwood
  • Location: S Hall A2; Poster Board: 49A

Studies of note for ramucirumab include:

• Abstract #8519: Poster Discussion Session: Monday, June 7, 2010, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
  • A phase II randomized study of ramucirumab (IMC1121B) with or without dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients (pts) with metastatic melanoma (MM)
  • Author/Speaker: Richard D. Carvajal
  • Location: S403; Poster Board 7
• Abstract #4083: General Poster Session: Sunday, June 6, 2010, 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
  • A phase II study of ramucirumab as first-line monotherapy in patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
  • Author/Speaker: Andrew X. Zhu
  • Location: S Hall A2; Poster Board 23F
• Abstract #7588: General Poster Session: Sunday, June 6, 2010, 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
  • A phase II, open-label study of ramucirumab (IMC-1121B), an IgG1 fully human monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting VEGFR-2, in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy in patients (pts) with stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  • Author/Speaker: D. Ross Camidge
  • Location: S Hall A2; Poster Board 40G

Studies of note for cixutumumab include:

• Abstract #TPS242: Trials in Progress Poster Session: Monday, June 7, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-IR) monoclonal antibody cixutumumab plus mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor temsirolimus in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
  • Author/Speaker: Dana E. Rathkopf
  • Location: S Hall A2

P-LLY

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the potential of tasisulam, ramucirumab and cixutumumab and reflects Lilly’s current beliefs. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of development and commercialization. There is no guarantee that the product will continue to be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company