Lilly and Biosite team up for sepsis trial

Eli Lilly and Biosite have announced they are to collaborate over a clinical trial into Lilly’s Xigris, the severe sepsis drug.

The Respond (research evaluating serial protein C levels in severe sepsis patients on drotrecogin alfa) trial is to ascertain the effectiveness of a tailored therapy strategy for the drug, using protein C as a multipurpose biomarker.

“We are very excited about this collaboration,” said Dr John C Lechleiter, president and chief operating officer for Lilly.

“Physicians have told us they want an on-demand diagnostic that better identifies patients who might benefit from Xigris, helps monitor the patient’s response, and allows tailored treatment. We hope this biomarker strategy will help maximize the value of this medicine for critically ill sepsis patients.”

Sepsis, which often develops as a complication following more common illnesses such as pneumonia, claims as many as 1,400 lives a day, the companies say. The disease is under diagnosed and is the main cause of death in the non-coronary intensive care unit.

The agreement will use Biosite-developed diagnostics based on protein C for a Lilly phase II-b clinical trial. Through the trial, Lilly hopes to be able to gauge the most effective dose and duration of therapy and patient response.

© Adfero Ltd