Lilly drops mGluR2/3 agonist after schizophrenia misses

Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY) discontinued development of pomaglumetad methionil after a futility analysis showed that the compound was unlikely to be effective against placebo in the second of two pivotal trials in schizophrenia. The Phase III H8Y-MC-HBBN trial was evaluating a primary endpoint of improving Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. In July, Lilly reported data from the first trial -- the pivotal Phase IIb H8Y-MC-HBBM trial -- showing that pomaglumetad methionil missed the co-primary endpoints of improving PANSS total score from baseline vs. placebo in the overall population and in an undisclosed predefined genetic subgroup (see BioCentury Extra, July 11). ...