India gets its first Alzheimer's therapy at Rs 1 lakh/dose, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Eli Lilly launched donanemab (brand name Lormalzi), India's first Alzheimer's therapy, priced at approximately Rs 1 lakh per dose.
• Donanemab, a monoclonal antibody, aims to slow disease progression by dissolving amyloid beta protein plaques in the brain.
• The drug is administered as a once-a-month 350 mg infusion and is intended for use over at least 18 months.
• Clinical trials showed donanemab slows cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer's patients by roughly 30-35%.
• Alzheimer's affects over 8.8 million people in India, with projections estimating nearly 16.9 million cases by 2036.

Detailed Insights:

• Donanemab is a disease-modifying therapy that uses lab-made proteins to target and remove amyloid-beta plaques, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
• The treatment is most effective for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's, specifically those with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, as it cannot reverse existing brain damage.
• While donanemab represents a significant advancement, its high cost may limit accessibility for many Indian patients, despite the company's access program for lower prices.
• Clinical trials have indicated potential side effects, including amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), such as brain swelling in 24% of participants and brain bleeding in nearly 20%.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment with donanemab, posing a challenge in India where Alzheimer's is often diagnosed late, potentially increasing healthcare costs.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Monoclonal Antibody: A lab-produced protein designed to bind to specific targets in the body, like amyloid beta plaques.
• Amyloid Beta Plaques: Abnormal protein clumps in the brain, considered a key indicator and contributor to Alzheimer's disease.
• Neurodegenerative Disease: A condition characterized by the progressive decline and death of nerve cells in the brain, such as Alzheimer's.