Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly Submit Joint Low-Cost Lung Cancer Drug to FDA

Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics have partnered to submit an application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a combination oncology therapy.  (Tyvyt) Sintilimab was submitted in conjunction with Lilly’s Alimta and platinum chemotherapy for use in non-small cell lung cancer. The FDA’s decision is expected by March of 2022. Should the therapy be approved, this could signal an influx of Chinese-developed drugs formulated at lower price points than those found on the US market.

“Lilly and Innovent weren’t hesitant to play the price card to win market share in China. In 2019, the pair cut Tyvyt’s price by 64% to get the drug listed on the country’s national reimbursement program, making it the first in the PD-1/L1 class to secure that coverage.” Read more here.

(Source: Angus Liu Fierce Pharma, 5/18/21)