Eli Lilly announced interim clinical data from the LOXO-305 global Phase 1/2 BRUIN dose escalation trial. LOXO-305 is an investigational, highly selective, non-covalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor. These data were presented at the 2019 American Society of Hematology, or ASH, Annual Meeting. At all doses studied, LOXO-305 delivered objective responses in patients who had received diverse prior therapies and had exhibited varied molecular mechanisms of acquired resistance. "We are excited to report that LOXO-305 is active in patients resistant and intolerant to covalent BTK inhibitors, as well as in patients resistant to BCL2 inhibition," said Anthony Mato, M.D., director of the CLL Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the presenting author. "We observed compelling response rates in both CLL and MCL. Interestingly, we reported responses regardless of C481 status, a putative mechanism of resistance to the covalent BTK class. We saw objective responses in dose cohort 1 and have not identified a maximum tolerated dose. These data suggest that LOXO-305 has the required selectivity profile and human target coverage to maximize the full potential of this molecular target, combine well with other agents, and perhaps, even move to earlier lines of therapy." Jacob Van Naarden, chief operating officer of Loxo Oncology at Lilly, added: "Put simply, LOXO-305 has exceeded our expectations. LOXO-305's wide therapeutic index allows us to plan and implement an ambitious comprehensive development program, one that includes combination regimens that exploit the drug's selectivity profile. We look forward to working closely with global regulators to position LOXO-305 in the most appropriate patient populations. It will be exciting to combine Lilly's resources and talent with Loxo's focus and agility for the benefit of this program within Loxo Oncology at Lilly."