Prelude Therapeutics Partnered With Eli Lilly
The companies will test a new breast cancer treatment in a clinical trial using existing inhibitors.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Cancer
Live Poll
Should the government encourage pharmaceutical companies to collaborate on clinical trials for cancer research?
Prelude Therapeutics has entered a collaboration and supply agreement with Eli Lilly to test its oral KAT6A degrader, PRT13722, for breast cancer. The trial will evaluate this drug in combination with Lilly's abemaciclib and imlunestrant.
Why it matters
Preclinical data showed that PRT13722 demonstrates synergy with existing CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapies, offering a potential new treatment pathway for patients. This collaboration allows for the testing of these drugs as a combined regimen.
The FDA cleared Prelude Therapeutics to conduct a Phase 1 study for PRT13722, an oral KAT6A selective degrader. Prelude Therapeutics retains full global development and commercial rights to the candidate throughout the trial process.
The players
Prelude Therapeutics
Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, this clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focuses on the development of precision cancer medicines.
Eli Lilly
This global pharmaceutical corporation develops and markets a wide range of human pharmaceuticals, including oncology treatments.
Food and Drug Administration
This federal agency is responsible for protecting public health by regulating the safety and efficacy of medical products in the United States.
The details
The upcoming study will begin with monotherapy dose escalation before transitioning into combination cohorts. Prelude Therapeutics will receive supplies of the CDK4/6 kinase inhibitor abemaciclib and the oral estrogen receptor antagonist imlunestrant from Eli Lilly.
Timeline
April 2026: Prelude Therapeutics presented preclinical data on PRT13722 at the AACR Annual Meeting.
October 13, 2026: The collaboration and supply agreement with Eli Lilly was announced.
Fourth quarter of 2026: Patient enrollment for the Phase 1 trial is expected to begin.
The Big Picture
This collaboration marks a significant step in the transition of PRT13722 from laboratory models to clinical applications. The study follows a pattern set by the AACR Annual Meeting in showcasing novel preclinical candidates.
This development initiates the process of evaluating whether new combination therapies can offer more effective options for breast cancer patients. It does not yet impact current treatment availability or routine care protocols.
The takeaway
The partnership demonstrates how smaller biotech firms often collaborate with established pharmaceutical companies to test drug synergies. Patients should follow their oncologists for updates on clinical trial access as study phases progress.
What happens next
Patient enrollment for the Phase 1 trial is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research in the Cancer section of our site.
Live Poll
Should the government encourage pharmaceutical companies to collaborate on clinical trials for cancer research?
