TheraRadar

Pharma Intelligence, Simplified

Data updated: Mar 10, 2026

VERZENIO

ABEMACICLIB Kinase Inhibitors
Oncology Approved 2017-09-28

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. It is used as an adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence and for the treatment of advanced or metastatic disease. Depending on the specific indication, the drug is administered as a monotherapy or in combination with endocrine therapies such as tamoxifen, fulvestrant, or aromatase inhibitors.

Source: FDA Label • Eli Lilly • Kinase Inhibitor

How VERZENIO Works

Abemaciclib functions by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), which are enzymes that drive cell cycle progression. In certain breast cancer cells, these kinases promote the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, leading to cell proliferation. By blocking this activity, abemaciclib prevents cells from advancing from the G1 phase into the S phase of the cell cycle. This inhibition triggers cellular senescence and apoptosis, effectively reducing tumor size and growth.

Source: FDA Label
6
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
2
Priority Reviews
8
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2017-09-28
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
TABLET

Companies

Active Ingredient: ABEMACICLIB

VERZENIO Approval History

Loading approval history...

What VERZENIO Treats

4 indications

VERZENIO is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 2017. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence
  • Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy
  • Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy
  • Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting
Source: FDA Label

VERZENIO Competitors

Pro

3 other drugs also target CDK4. Compare mechanisms, indications, and trial activity.

Drug = Competitor name Company = Manufacturer N indic. = FDA-approved indications → Date = Patent/exclusivity expiry

Competitors share the same molecular target (CDK4). Earlier expiry dates signal biosimilar/generic opportunities.

🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

VERZENIO FDA Label Details

Pro

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

VERZENIO ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated: in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. in combination with fulvestrant...

VERZENIO Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Sep 2031

Patents (68 active)

US7855211 Expires Sep 28, 2031
+ 58 more patents
Source: FDA Orange Book

Want competitive intelligence?

See who's developing similar drugs and track their progress

View Pipeline Dashboard

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.