Eli Lilly's Cyramza Scores in Colorectal Cancer Study

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Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) announced that Cyramza in combination with chemotherapy met the primary endpoint in a phase III study (:RAISE) conducted in patients suffering from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

The global, randomized, double-blind phase III study compared Cyramza plus FOLFIRI to placebo plus FOLFIRI for the second-line treatment of patients whose disease has progressed after or during treatment with Avastin (bevacizumab), oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine in the first-line setting.

Cyramza plus FOLFIRI demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival as well as progression-free survival compared to placebo plus FOLFIRI.

Eli Lilly plans to submit regulatory applications for this indication in the first half of 2015.

We remind investors that Cyramza is currently approved as a single agent for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in patients whose disease has progressed after treatment with fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Eli Lilly is also evaluating Cyramza for other types of cancer including second-line non-small cell lung cancer. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly is currently looking to expand Cyramza’s label for the treatment of second-line gastric cancer. A response from the FDA for this indication should be out in the first half of 2015.

We are pleased with the encouraging results from the RAISE study on Cyramza. We note that on approval, Cyramza will provide a new anti-angiogenic treatment option after first-line Avastin-containing therapy for patients suffering from metastatic colorectal cancer.

We are pleased with Eli Lilly’s efforts to strenghten its oncology portfolio. The company needs to develop new products to make up for the loss of revenues from genericization of drugs like Cymbalta and Evista among others.

Eli Lilly is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Allergan Inc. (AGN), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) and Cambrex Corporation (CBM). All three are Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks.

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