Septic shock drug pulled from market

Eli Lilly and Co. announced it is pulling a drug to treat septic shock from all markets following a study showing it failed to improve patient survival. There were no new safety findings on the drug called Xigris, the Indianapolis drug maker said Tuesday, but the study questioned its risk-benefit profile. "Patients currently receiving treatment with Xigris should have treatment discontinued, and Xigris treatment should not be initiated for new patients," Dr. Timothy Garnett, Lilly's senior vice president and chief medical officer, told the Indianapolis Star. A factor in the study results could be advances in the standard of care for treating severe sepsis over the past decade, he said. Sepsis can develop as a complication after common illnesses such as pneumonia and bacterial infections and if not treated in a timely fashion can lead to organ failure and death. Xigris, launched in 2001 with high hopes as a potential blockbuster drug for the Eli Lilly and Co., has posted only modest sales, the Star reported.