LLY - Lilly's baricitinib shows incremental benefit in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Following up on their announcement on September 14, Eli Lilly ([[LLY]] +1.9%) and licensor Incyte ([[INCY]] +1.3%) announce additional data from an NIAID-sponsored study, ACTT-2, evaluating the combination of Olumiant (baricitinib) and Gilead Sciences' ([[GILD]] +0.5%) Veklury (remdesivir) compared to remdesivir alone in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.As previously reported, the trial met the primary endpoint of reducing time to recovery, one day, compared to remdesivir alone. The most significant benefits were observed in patients requiring supplemental oxygen and those needing high-flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation.New data showed that the odds of improvement in clinical status at day 15 were 30% greater in the baricitinib arm. There was a lower mortality rate (5.1% vs. 7.8%) in the baricitinib group but the separation was not statistically significant.Lilly is continuing talks with the FDA regarding a potential emergency use authorization ((EUA)) application.The FDA OK'd Olumiant in June 2018 for rheumatoid arthritis.

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Lilly's baricitinib shows incremental benefit in hospitalized COVID-19 patients