Lilly stops rheumatoid arthritis trial for lack of efficacy

(Reuters) – Eli Lilly and Co said it will stop one of three late-stage trials of its rheumatoid arthritis drug tabalumab after an analysis showed that the trial was unlikely to be successful. The trial was testing the drug in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis who were not responding adequately to methotrexate therapy, which is a standard rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The decision was not based on safety concerns, and patients currently enrolled in other tabalumab rheumatoid arthritis studies will continue treatment, Lilly said. …