SVB Leerink analyst Jonathan Chang said a "positive update" on the Phase 1 study of ARQ 531 in B-cell malignancies was among the abstracts published ahead of the American Society of Hematology, or ASH, annual meeting. The abstract highlights new partial responses achieved in the "short" window between the European Hematology Association update and the ASH abstract submission deadline, noted Chang, who contends that the data "continue to look strong" for the ArQule (ARQL) drug. The analyst, who also thinks that early data reported by Eli Lilly (LLY) will "intensify investor discussion on the competitive landscape for ARQ 531," still believes ArQule remains in the lead and he reiterates an Outperform rating on the shares.