An Update on Eli Lilly’s Oncology Drugs: Alimta, Erbitux, and Gemzar

In 3Q17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Alimta generated revenues of $514.5 million, a ~10% increase on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and a 3% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis. In 3Q17, in the US and international markets (outside US markets), Alimta generated revenues of $260.3 million and $254.2 million, respectively, compared to $277.0 million and $293.4 million in 3Q16.

Alimta reported revenues of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2017. In the US and international markets, Alimta generated revenues of $761.9 million and $775.4 million in the first nine months of 2017, respectively. Alimta is Eli Lilly’s blockbuster drug for the treatment of advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (or NSCLC).

In 3Q17, Erbitux generated revenues of $163.5 million, a ~11% decline on a YoY basis and 3% growth on a quarter-over-quarter basis. In 3Q17, in the US and international markets, Erbitux generated revenues of $136.0 million and $27.4 million, respectively, compared to $154.4 million and $30.2 million in 3Q16.

Erbitux reported YTD September 2017 revenues of $477 million. In the US and international markets, Erbitux reported YTD September 2017 revenues of $398.2 million and $78.8 million, respectively. In the colorectal cancer market, Erbitux competes with Roche’s (RHHBY) Avastin, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMY) Opdivo, and Amgen’s (AMGN) Vectibix. In 3Q17, Vectibix reported revenues of $168 million.

In 3Q17, Gemzar reported revenues of $26.9 million, a ~4% decline on a YoY basis and a 3% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis. Gemzar reported revenues of $80.5 million in the first nine months of 2017.

In 3Q17, Lartruvo reported revenues of $54.5 million, which reflected ~15% growth on a quarter-over-quarter basis. In 3Q17, in the US and international markets, Lartruvo reported revenues of $42.4 million and $12.0 million, respectively.

The Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) invests ~2.0% of its total portfolio holding in Eli Lilly.