UPDATE 1-Lilly says Cymbalta maintains pain reduction in study

* 181 patients enrolled in 41-wk extension phase of study

* Further pain reduction on Cymbalta shown in extension phase

Sept 11 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said new data showed that patients with chronic low back pain on Cymbalta maintained reductions in pain for 41 weeks.

Maintenance of pain reduction in patients who initially responded to Cymbalta, or duloxetine HCl, was accompanied by further reduction in pain that was statistically significant, the company said in a statement.

Of the total of 181 patients enrolled in the extension phase of the study taking duloxetine HCl 60 mg or 120 mg once daily, maintenance of effect was assessed in 58 duloxetine patients, the company said in a statement.

These 58 patients had experienced at least 30 percent pain reduction from baseline during the 13-week, placebo-controlled acute phase of the study.

Eli Lilly markets Cymbalta in the United States for treating major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

In June, the company resubmitted its supplemental New Drug Application for Cymbalta for the management of chronic pain.

Shares of the company closed at $32.82 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.

For the alerts, please double-click [ID:nWNAB8650] (Reporting by Shailesh Kuber in Bangalore; Editing by Aradhana Aravindan)