Label expansions for cancer drugs are pretty standard. Pfizer
But Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly managed to sell over $1.1 billion of Alimta last year, a solid 35% growth over the previous year. In the U.S., sales in 2008 grew 25% to $562 million. This new indication should help the drug maintain its steady climb upward.
It can use the help. Alimta has some competition now, such as Roche's Avastin, and Roche's and OSI Pharmaceuticals'
Investors take note: Just because a drug is approved doesn't mean you can ignore it. Just like any other company, drugmakers try to expand the sales of their products. But unlike retailers, for instance, maintaining sales growth can be just as hard as getting the drug approved in the first place. Growing sales is usually a little easier for cancer drugs, but Eli Lilly seems to have found the easiest way yet.
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