STAT+: Lilly’s Ajax acquisition may have been worth it

Eli Lilly and Company's acquisition of Loxo Oncology in 2019 for $8 billion has proven to be a significant success, primarily due to the development of the targeted cancer therapy Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib). Jaypirca received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2024 for adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. This approval followed positive results from the Phase 1b/2 trial, which demonstrated a 68% overall response rate in MCL patients. Lilly's strategic investment in Loxo Oncology has positioned the company as a leader in precision oncology, with Jaypirca representing a key driver of growth. The drug targets BTK, a protein crucial for the survival and proliferation of certain B-cell cancers. The acquisition has enabled Lilly to build a robust pipeline of targeted therapies, further solidifying its commitment to developing innovative treatments for cancer.