Content about Eli Lilly and Company

PARIS — A new study indicated that two insulin products made by French drug maker Sanofi lower blood-glucose levels to a greater extent than premixed insulin, and with improvements in quality of life and less hypoglycemia.

Sanofi announced results of the 60-week study, which compared regimens, including Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin]) and Apidra (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin]).

SAN DIEGO — Novo Nordisk unveiled data from two extension studies at the 71st annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego that show its diabetes drug, when combined with other medications, may help patients achieve blood-sugar control.

The drug maker found that combining Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection) with metformin and/or sulfonylurea helped patients achieve blood-sugar control.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of an injectable drug made by Abbott for prostate cancer.

Abbott announced Monday the approval of a 45-mg, six-month formulation of Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) for advanced prostate cancer. Previous formulations have allowed patients to receive the drug every month or every three or four months.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved Tradjenta (linagliptin), an oral Type 2 diabetes drug made by German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly. The drug belongs to the class known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, which also includes Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin). With diabetes affecting some 26 million Americans and growing rapidly, Drug Store News spoke with Wa’el Hashad, BI’s VP cardiovascular and metabolic disorders marketing, about what the approval of Tradjenta means for the diabetes market.


INDIANAPOLIS — A new oral medication for Type 2 diabetes made by Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim has become available in pharmacies, the companies said Wednesday.

Lilly and BI announced the availability of Tradjenta (linagliptin) in chain and independent pharmacies around the country.

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal court has ruled in favor of drug maker Eli Lilly in a dispute with Amylin Pharmaceuticals over Lilly’s partnership with German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim.

INDIANAPOLIS — Cancer patients taking a drug made by Eli Lilly extended the amount of time they survived without their disease worsening, according to results of a study announced Sunday.

Lilly said results of the phase-3 “PARAMOUNT” study of the injected drug Alimta (pemetrexed) extended progression-free survival in patients with nonsquamous nonsmall-cell lung cancer. The study focused on continuation maintenance when one of the same drugs used as a first-line treatment for cancer is continued as maintenance therapy in an effort to control the disease.

CINCINNATI — An Eli Lilly executive was elected to Chiquita's board of directors at the company's annual shareholders meeting.

Chiquita said that Jeffrey Simmons, who serves as Lilly SVP and president of the drug maker's animal health division, Elanco Animal Health, brings more than 20 years of management experience to his new role on the audit committee and the food innovation, safety and technology committee.

SAN DIEGO — Eli Lilly is temporarily barred from using the same sales team to market two diabetes drugs, under a court order issued Thursday.

SAN DIEGO — Amylin Pharmaceuticals filed suit against Eli Lilly in federal court Monday concerning an agreement between the latter and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim to develop drugs for diabetes.

In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Amylin said Lilly engaged in unlawful and anticompetitive activity in its development and commercialization agreement with BI for Tradjenta (linagliptin), an orally administered Type 2 diabetes drug that the Food and Drug Administration recently approved.

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly will present data from more than 30 studies at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago next month, the company said Monday.

Studies will include “PARAMOUNT,” a late-stage clinical trial investigating the drug Alimta (pemetrexed) in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, as well as studies on Gemzar (gemcitabine) and Erbitux (cetuximab) with partner companies Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck KGaA.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Eli Lilly for treating a disease of the pancreas that often occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis, Lilly said.