Loxo Oncology

What Loxo Oncology does

Loxo Oncology was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that developed precision oncology therapies for patients with cancers driven by specific genetic mutations, regardless of tumor type or location. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the company's research approach was biomarker-driven, matching targeted therapies to genetically defined patient populations. Its lead asset was Retevmo (selpercatinib), a RET kinase inhibitor for RET fusion-positive cancers, which subsequently demonstrated significant event-free survival benefit in a Phase 3 trial for early-stage RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer as adjuvant therapy.

Loxo operated as a research-stage company prior to commercializing any product, generating no commercial revenue. It financed its pipeline through venture capital, raising approximately $506 million across six funding rounds from 2013 to 2017, with investors including New Enterprise Associates (lead), Aisling Capital, and OrbiMed. In January 2019, Eli Lilly acquired Loxo for $8 billion in cash in a strategic transaction that integrated the company's pipeline and research capabilities into Lilly's oncology portfolio.

Following the acquisition, Loxo ceased independent operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly. Former COO Jacob Van Naarden was elevated to lead all of Eli Lilly's oncology R&D and business development, while former CEO Josh Bilenker subsequently founded Treeline Biosciences, a separate oncology venture that has raised over $1 billion in venture capital. The acquisition has been credited as a contributing factor in Eli Lilly becoming the highest-valued pharmaceutical company by stock market capitalization.

Name

Loxo Oncology

Legal name

Loxo Oncology

Website

https://loxooncology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Loxo Oncology was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that developed precision oncology therapies for patients with genetically-defined cancers, including the RET kinase inhibitor Retevmo (selpercatinib). The company was acquired by Eli Lilly for $8 billion in January 2019.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Oncology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Targeted oncology therapies
• Precision cancer medicine
• Kinase inhibitor drugs
• Biomarker-driven oncology
• Cancer therapeutics development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Core offering

Loxo Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company developing precision oncology medicines targeted at genetically defined cancers. Its portfolio included targeted therapies such as the RET kinase inhibitor Retevmo (selpercatinib) for RET fusion-positive cancers. The company was acquired by Eli Lilly in January 2019 for $8 billion and operates as part of Eli Lilly's oncology pipeline.

Product overview

Loxo Oncology was a precision oncology company focused on developing targeted cancer therapies. Following its acquisition by Eli Lilly in January 2019 for $8 billion, its portfolio including Retevmo (selpercatinib) became part of Eli Lilly's oncology pipeline. The company's research approach centered on biomarker-driven treatments for genetically defined cancers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retevmo (selpercatinib)

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Eli Lilly and CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn January 2019, Eli Lilly acquired Loxo Oncology for $8 billion in cash. This was a strategic acquisition that brought Loxo's oncology pipeline and research capabilities under Eli Lilly's umbrella. The deal originated from a surprise meeting at Loxo's Stamford, Connecticut offices where Lilly executives presented deal terms.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca is a major oncology player with a portfolio spanning targeted therapies, immuno-oncology, and ADCs. Its precision oncology programs and biomarker-driven development overlap with Loxo's approach.
• Bristol Myers Squibb: Bristol Myers Squibb is a leading oncology company with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and precision oncology assets. It has actively acquired precision oncology players including Mirati and Turning Point Therapeutics, comparable to Loxo's acquisition by Eli Lilly.
• Novartis: Novartis is a global pharmaceutical leader with a significant oncology franchise including targeted therapies and radioligand therapies. It competes in precision oncology broadly and has both kinase inhibitors and biomarker-driven programs.
• Pfizer: Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical incumbent with a substantial oncology portfolio including precision medicines and kinase inhibitors. It competes in the same therapeutic landscape as Loxo across multiple genetic targets.
• Genentech (Roche): Genentech is a major oncology innovator with deep precision oncology capabilities across multiple targets and tumor types. It is a broader incumbent in the same space as Loxo, with greater scale and a more diversified oncology portfolio.

Direct peers

• Mirati Therapeutics: Mirati Therapeutics develops targeted oncology therapies for genetically defined patient populations, including KRAS inhibitors. It competes in the same precision oncology category and was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2024, paralleling Loxo's strategic outcome.
• Turning Point Therapeutics: Turning Point Therapeutics was a precision oncology company developing kinase inhibitors for actionable oncogenic drivers. It was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2022, and shares Loxo's strategy of targeting tumor-agnostic genetic alterations with small molecule therapies.
• Blueprint Medicines: Blueprint Medicines is a precision oncology company developing kinase inhibitors for genomically defined cancers, including pralsetinib (a competing RET inhibitor). It is the most direct competitor to Loxo's Retevmo and shares the biomarker-driven development model.

Emerging players

• BeiGene: BeiGene is a global oncology company developing targeted therapies including kinase inhibitors, with significant focus on hematologic and solid tumor precision medicine. It is an emerging player in the same precision oncology space.
• Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Constellation Pharmaceuticals was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision oncology therapies targeting epigenetic and oncogenic drivers. It was acquired by MorphoSys in 2021, sharing Loxo's model of precision oncology development leading to strategic exit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/loxooncology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/loxo-oncology-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Loxo Oncology