Inluriyo plus Verzenio delivers proven clinical benefit after the evidence-based practice of maximizing initial treatment with an aromatase inhibitor, with or without a CDK4/6 inhibitor
In the Phase 3 EMBER-3 trial, Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio doubled median progression-free survival compared to Inluriyo alone, among patients with ESR1-mutated MBC
The all-oral combination of Inluriyo and Verzenio gives patients a treatment approach that targets the two central drivers of ER+ breast cancer, with an established tolerability profile and no new monitoring required
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to Inluriyo (imlunestrant), an oral estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, in combination with Verzenio (abemaciclib), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, for the treatment of adults with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–), ESR1-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC), as detected by an FDA-authorized test, with disease progression following at least one line of endocrine therapy. The approval is based on the proven clinical benefit of switching to Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio at clinical progression as observed in the Phase 3 EMBER-3 trial.
"In less than a year since its approval, Inluriyo is the leading treatment option for people with ER+, HER2–, ESR1m metastatic breast cancer, now reaching over half of all patients starting an oral SERD," said Jacob Van Naarden, executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology. "Today's full approval extends what Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio can do for patients, with a regimen that has confirmed benefit, is aligned to the clinically proven treatment paradigm of changing therapy at clinical progression, and doesn't introduce burdensome monitoring requirements for patients or physicians. In fact, all available evidence suggests that switching endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitor at clinical progression improves patient outcomes more than switching therapy earlier. Utilizing this evidence-based practice spares early exposure to additional side effects, reduces patient anxiety from unnecessary testing, and mitigates avoidable costs to the healthcare system."
This full FDA approval is based on the results of the Phase 3 EMBER-3 trial in patients with MBC whose tumors harbor an ESR1 mutation (n=159). Patients received Inluriyo (n=92) or Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio (n=67) after an aromatase inhibitor (AI), with or without a CDK4/6 inhibitor, in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. Among patients with ESR1-mutated MBC, Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio doubled median progression-free survival (PFS) versus Inluriyo alone, with a median PFS of 11.1 months versus 5.5 months (HR=0.53 [95% CI, 0.35–0.80]).
"We have an urgent need for effective and safe treatment options for patients with disease progression on adjuvant or first-line therapy. Combining therapies that work on two distinct drivers of tumor growth—the estrogen receptor and CDK4/6—is an important strategy to help address treatment resistance," said Komal Jhaveri, MD, FACP, FASCO, Associate Attending Breast Medicine and Early Drug Development Services, section head of the Endocrine Therapy Research Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and principal investigator for the EMBER-3 and EMBER-4 trials. "In EMBER-3, switching both the endocrine therapy and CDK 4/6 inhibitor, for the majority of patients, to imlunestrant plus abemaciclib at disease progression achieved a median progression-free survival of 11.1 months and a safety profile consistent with that of each medicine individually, establishing a meaningful new treatment option."
In about half of patients with ER+, HER2– MBC, tumors develop a genetic change called an ESR1 mutation during or after treatment with a common class of hormone-blocking medicines known as AIs. These mutations can cause estrogen receptors to become overactive, fueling cancer growth. Inluriyo and Verzenio target two different drivers of tumor growth, offering a combined approach to help slow the disease. Inluriyo degrades mutated estrogen receptors, cutting off the signal that drives cancer cells to grow. Verzenio targets proteins that control how quickly cancer cells divide, helping to slow their growth.
The Inluriyo label contains a warning and precaution for embryo-fetal toxicity. See Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information for additional information.
The Verzenio label contains warnings and precautions for severe diarrhea, neutropenia, interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, hepatotoxicity, venous thromboembolism, embryo-fetal toxicity, and increased serum creatinine without affecting renal function. See Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information for additional information.
In EMBER-3, the majority of adverse events (AEs) with Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio were Grade 1-2. The most common (≥10%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were decreased neutrophils, diarrhea, decreased hemoglobin, decreased lymphocytes, nausea, decreased platelets, fatigue, increased triglycerides, infections, increased AST, increased creatinine, increased ALT, vomiting, musculoskeletal pain, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, increased cholesterol, rash, cough, headache, and decreased weight. Permanent discontinuation of Inluriyo alone due to adverse reactions in the combination arm occurred in 1% of patients, and permanent discontinuation of Verzenio alone in the combination arm occurred in 3.4% of patients.
This marks the second FDA approval for Inluriyo in less than a year, following its September 2025 approval as monotherapy for the treatment of adults with ER+, HER2–, ESR1-mutated MBC whose disease progressed after at least one line of endocrine therapy (ET).
Inluriyo is also being studied in the Phase 3 EMBER-4 trial (NCT05514054) in the adjuvant setting for people with ER+, HER2– early-stage breast cancer (EBC) at increased risk of recurrence following standard of care endocrine therapy, including CDK4/6 inhibitors. EMBER-4 is the largest adjuvant oral SERD clinical trial, with more than 8,000 patients enrolled worldwide across 650+ sites in 30+ countries. Initial results are anticipated in 2027.
Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio is now available in the United States.
See Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information for additional information.
About Inluriyo (imlunestrant)
Inluriyo (imlunestrant) (pronounced en-loo-ree-yoh) is an oral estrogen receptor antagonist that delivers continuous ER inhibition, including in ESR1-mutant cancers. The estrogen receptor (ER) is the key therapeutic target for patients with ER+, HER2– breast cancer. Inluriyo is a U.S. FDA approved oral prescription medicine, 200 mg tablets taken as a once-daily dose of 400 mg taken on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before food or 1 hour after food. Inluriyo is also currently being studied as an adjuvant treatment in early breast cancer in the Phase 3 EMBER-4 trial (NCT05514054).
For full details on indicated uses of Inluriyo in ER+, HER2– ESR1m metastatic breast cancer, please see full Prescribing Information, available at www.inluriyo.lilly.com.
About Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is approved to treat people with certain HR+, HER2– breast cancers in the adjuvant and advanced or metastatic settings.
Verzenio is an oral tablet taken twice daily and available in strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. Discovered and developed by Lilly researchers, Verzenio was first approved in 2017 and is authorized for use in more than 90 countries around the world.
For full details on indicated uses of Verzenio in HR+, HER2– breast cancer, please see full Prescribing Information, available at www.verzenio.lilly.com.
Important Safety Information for Inluriyo® (imlunestrant) as Monotherapy and in Combination with Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
Diarrhea: Severe diarrhea associated with dehydration and infection occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. Instruct patients at the first sign of loose stools to initiate antidiarrheal therapy, increase oral fluids, and notify their healthcare provider. In EMBER-3, diarrhea occurred in 86% of patients who received Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio; Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea occurred in 9%. Follow specific dose modification and management instructions located in the Prescribing Information for each drug.
Neutropenia: Neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia and fatal neutropenic sepsis, occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. In EMBER-3, neutrophil count decreased in 86% of patients who received Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio; Grade 3 or 4 decreases occurred in 21%. Monitor complete blood counts prior to the start of Verzenio therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated. Follow specific dose modification and management instructions located in the Prescribing Information for each drug.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with Verzenio and other CDK4/6 inhibitors. In EMBER-3, ILD or pneumonitis occurred in 2.9% of patients who received Inluriyo in combination with Verzenio. Monitor for clinical symptoms or radiological changes indicative of ILD/pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue Verzenio in all patients with Grade 3 or 4 ILD or pneumonitis. Follow specific dose modification and management instructions located in the Prescribing Information for each drug.
Hepatotoxicity: Increases in serum transaminase levels have been observed. Perform liver function tests (LFTs) before initiating treatment with Verzenio.
