Lilly reports positive data from lung cancer drug trial

Lilly has announced positive data from Revel, a global phase III study assessing the benefits of its new drug ramucirumab in the treatment of lung cancer.

Results from the trial showed ramucirumab, when used in combination with chemotherapy in patients with second-line non-small cell lung cancer, offered a statistically significant improvement over placebo in terms of overall survival.

The drug also showed a pronounced improvement in progression-free survival in the ramucirumab arm compared to the control arm, meaning it was able to meet primary and secondary endpoint goals in the study.

Lilly will present data from the Revel trial at an upcoming scientific meeting, while it also intends to use the information to support filings to regulatory authorities later this year.

Dr Richard Gaynor, senior vice-president of product development and medical affairs for Lilly Oncology, said: "This data reinforces our confidence in the overall ramucirumab development programme, in which we have several phase III and earlier-phase studies in multiple tumour types, both as a single agent and in combination with other therapies."

According to data presented at a strategy meeting earlier this year, Lilly has 13 potential new medicines in the phase III testing or submission stage, with an additional 26 in phase II.