Loxo Oncology
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
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.
Loxo Oncology firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Loxo Oncology industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Loxo Oncology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Loxo Oncology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Loxo Oncology product offering
Product offeringCore 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)
Companies that use Loxo Oncology
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Loxo Oncology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Loxo Oncology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Eli Lilly and CompanyflagshipIn 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
Loxo Oncology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
Loxo Oncology social profiles
Digital presenceLoxo Oncology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Loxo Oncology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Loxo Oncology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Loxo Oncology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Loxo Oncology
What does Loxo Oncology do?
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.
Is Loxo Oncology a public or private company?
Loxo Oncology is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Loxo Oncology founded?
Loxo Oncology was founded in 2013. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Loxo Oncology based?
Loxo Oncology is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Loxo Oncology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer and Genentech (Roche). Direct peers are Mirati Therapeutics, Turning Point Therapeutics and Blueprint Medicines. Emerging players are BeiGene and Constellation Pharmaceuticals.
Does Loxo Oncology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Loxo Oncology.
What industry is Loxo Oncology in?
Loxo Oncology's product category is Precision Oncology Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAA, Oncology Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAC, Oncology & Hematology Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.