The American pharmaceutical group Eli Lilly said on Wednesday that its new treatment for Alzheimer's had proven itself. In a large clinical trial, the drug slowed the progression of the disease. These results were enthusiastically received by experts.

The clinical trial included 1,200 participants aged 60 to 85 who had not yet reached an advanced stage of the disease. Donanemab treatment showed a 36% reduction in patients' cognitive decline. Daily autonomy (driving, talking, having leisure, managing finances) was also measured: over 18 months, patients showed a 40% decrease in their ability to perform these tasks.

Risks still to be assessed

Eli Lilly plans to file an application for authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as early as this quarter, and worldwide "as soon as possible." However, treatment can cause serious side effects, such as swelling or cerebral hemorrhage. Three participants in the clinical trial died, according to the group's statement.

"When the full results are released, [...] we can start carefully weighing the risks and benefits," commented British Dr Charles Marshall. "This will help decide whether donanemab should be routinely given to patients."

Soon a treatment choice for patients

"These results confirm that we are entering the era of Alzheimer's treatment," said Catherine Mummery, a London-based researcher. "[We can now] realistically hope that we can treat and stabilize someone with Alzheimer's disease, with long-term management, rather than palliative and supportive care."

After years of stagnation in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, new results are indeed giving hope. Two new treatments, developed by pharmaceutical companies Eisai (Japan) and Biogen (USA), have recently been approved in the US: Aduhelm in June 2021 and Leqembi in January 2023.



Eli Lilly's donanemab, if approved, could offer patients a treatment choice. All of these drugs target beta-amyloid protein deposits. While the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease remains poorly understood, patients' brains have amyloid plaques, which form around their neurons and eventually destroy them.

The question of reimbursement in the United States

Access to these very expensive treatments is a source of debate in the United States. The Medicare health coverage system, aimed at people over 65, had announced that it would only reimburse them in clinical trials. A condition set because the FDA has authorized Aduhelm and Leqembi under an accelerated procedure, which requires the collection of less clinical data before being placed on the market.

"Medicare continues to persist in blocking access for people who could benefit from it," Maria Carrillo, chief scientist at the Alzheimer's Association, said Wednesday, calling for these access restrictions to be lifted. For its part, Eli Lilly will file a "traditional" authorization application to allow broader coverage by Medicare.

  • Alzheimer 's
  • Treatment
  • Medicine
  • Illness
  • USA
  • Health