Key facts
- Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's drug donanemab has been approved in India.
- The drug, known as Lormalzi in India, targets early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
- Neurologists have flagged concerns regarding the drug's cost and accessibility in India.
- The drug works by clearing amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's.
- Clinical studies showed donanemab slowed cognitive and functional decline by approximately 35%.
Eli Lilly's new Alzheimer's drug, donanemab, has received approval in India, offering a new treatment option for patients with early-stage cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease. Marketed as Lormalzi in India, the drug functions by clearing amyloid plaques in the brain, a key biological marker of the disease. This represents a shift towards therapies that aim to alter the disease's progression rather than just manage symptoms.
Despite the approval, Indian neurologists have voiced significant concerns about the drug's real-world impact. Key barriers identified include the high cost of the medication, potential delays in diagnosis, and the need for specialized monitoring. Experts also emphasize that the reported 35% slowing of cognitive and functional decline in clinical trials, as seen in the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study, should not be mistaken for a direct improvement in memory. Instead, it signifies a slower rate of deterioration, which may translate to preserving independence for a longer period for some patients.