Lilly dealt another blow as investigators suspend Ph3 melanoma trial

Eli Lilly ($LLY) has suspended all treatments in a late-stage trial of its melanoma drug tasisulam after recording a dozen deaths in the study.

In its fourth major clinical setback in as many months, Eli Lilly ($LLY) has suspended all treatments in a late-stage trial of its melanoma drug tasisulam after recording a dozen deaths in the study. The move to halt therapy for all patients came after investigators reviewed a safety issue--which was not revealed by Lilly. But Bloomberg reports that a dozen patients had died in the study, quoting a spokesperson for the pharma giant who noted that the deaths may be related to the treatment.

"We are thoroughly reviewing the clinical trial data to understand what modifications to the study protocol or dosing would be needed to improve patient safety on this trial," Dr. Richard Gaynor, vice president of oncology product development and medical affairs for Lilly, said in a statement. The drug was being tested on patients whose melanoma had spread and who weren't responding to currently available therapies.

The suspension marks yet another black eye for the R&D gro