Eli Lilly and Co. says it will delay most new study starts and pause enrollment in most ongoing studies, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lilly is continuing ongoing clinical trials for patients who are already enrolled.

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted the global healthcare delivery system, including the conduct of clinical trials. Many healthcare systems have had to restructure operations to prioritize caring for COVID-19 patients and limiting or ceasing other activities. The severe burden on healthcare systems caused by this pandemic has impaired the ability of many research sites to start new studies or enroll new patients.

“Lilly is working hard to alleviate some of the pressure that the global COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our healthcare system. We have repurposed our labs to conduct diagnostic testing for patients and we are researching potential therapeutics. In the interest of helping to ensure patient safety and minimizing further stress on the system, Lilly has also decided to take several proactive steps in regard to our clinical trial activities around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tim Garnett, M.B.B.S., Lilly’s chief medical officer. “By delaying most new study starts and pausing enrollment of new patients or healthy volunteers in most ongoing studies, we hope to ease the burden on participating healthcare facilities and allow physicians to focus more of their efforts on combatting COVID-19.”