Lilly's cancer drug more effective than AbbVie's in head-to-head study
- Evergreen Chapter
- Sep 21, 2025
- 2 min read
Written by: Reuters
Summarized by: Janya Kumar __________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) are types of blood cancers that involve the overproduction of faulty white blood cells. These abnormal cells can weaken the immune system and tend to build up in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissues. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors play a key role in treatment, with AbbVie’s Imbruvica (ibrutinib) being one of the leading therapies available. Recently, Eli Lilly launched Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib), a reversible BTK inhibitor, which aims to enhance effectiveness and safety compared to current treatments. __________________________________________________________________________________ Study Design
Eli Lilly carried out a direct clinical trial that compared Jaypirca to Imbruvica in patients
suffering from CLL and SLL. The trial involved groups of patients with both untreated and previously treated conditions. Notably, the previously treated patients had not received other BTK inhibitors before.
The main goal of the study was to measure the overall response rate (ORR), which is the percentage of patients whose cancers either shrank or completely disappeared after receiving treatment. Another goal was to assess progression-free survival (PFS), which refers to how long patients live without their disease getting worse. __________________________________________________________________________________ Results
Main Goal: Jaypirca showed a better ORR compared to Imbruvica, successfully fulfilling the main goal of the study which was to prove it wasn't worse.
Additional Goal: Although the PFS data isn't fully developed yet, early analyses indicate a positive trend leaning towards Jaypirca being better.
Approval Status: Jaypirca has already received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mantle cell lymphoma, CLL, and SLL, which backs up its wider use in clinical settings. __________________________________________________________________________________ Market and Commercial Insights
In 2024, Jaypirca made $337 million in sales worldwide, and experts expect that number to
jump to $580.5 million in 2025. On the other hand, AbbVie’s Imbruvica brought in $3.35 billion in revenue in 2024, but with the rise of newer competitors like Jaypirca, the market dynamics might change.
__________________________________________________________________________________ Discussion
The trial shows that Jaypirca not only works as well as Imbruvica (prescription drug) but might even work better for treating CLL and SLL. Since Jaypirca is a reversible BTK inhibitor, it could have some unique benefits compared to covalent inhibitors, especially when it comes to how well patients tolerate it and how long it lasts. These results help Lilly strengthen its place in the hematology-oncology market and could lead to more uses for Jaypirca in both new and previously treated patients. If regulatory approvals come from this trial, it could change how treatments are given, making it possible to use reversible BTK inhibitors earlier in managing CLL and SLL. At the same time, AbbVie is facing more challenges in keeping its top spot in the BTK inhibitor market.
__________________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion
Eli Lilly's Jaypirca showed better response rates than AbbVie's Imbruvica in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, which is a big step for more doctors using it. With its strong sales growth and good clinical results, Jaypirca is ready to make a big difference in treating B-cell cancers.
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