In a major development for neurological healthcare, Eli Lilly and Company has launched its Alzheimer’s drug donanemab in India under the brand name Lormalzi, making it the country’s first approved amyloid plaque-targeting therapy for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, the drug offers new hope for patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia linked to Alzheimer’s.
The once-monthly intravenous infusion therapy has been priced at Rs 91,688 per vial, sparking discussions not only around affordability but also around the actual clinical effectiveness of anti-amyloid therapies.
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Lormalzi - known globally as donanemab- is designed to target and remove amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. These sticky protein deposits are widely believed to play a role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, one of the leading causes of dementia worldwide.
According to Eli Lilly, the therapy is intended for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, where slowing disease progression may help preserve memory, thinking ability, and daily functioning for longer. Clinical trials conducted internationally showed that donanemab modestly slowed cognitive decline in some patients, leading to approvals in countries including the United States.
The launch comes at a critical time as India faces a rapidly rising dementia burden due to an ageing population and increasing life expectancy. Experts estimate that almost 8.8 million people at present live with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for most cases. Around the world, more than 55 million people are affected by dementia, and that number is expected to triple by 2050.
Healthcare experts warn that dementia not only affects patients emotionally and physically but also creates enormous financial strain on families and healthcare systems. According to studies, dementia-related healthcare and caregiving costs in India exceed Rs 28,300 crore annually. Eli Lilly says earlier diagnosis and treatment could potentially delay disease progression and reduce long-term caregiving needs.
According to top doctors, not all dementia patients would benefit. "Donanemab is best suited for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, mild Alzheimer’s dementia, Amyloid-positive patients and is not meant for advanced or severe dementia," Dr. Sudhir Kumar, neurologist from Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, wrote on X.
Alzheimer's and dementia related healthcare and caregiving costs in India exceed Rs 28,300 crore annually
Researchers concluded that while these drugs effectively removed amyloid plaques from the brain, they produced only “absent or trivial” improvements in cognition and daily functioning. The review also highlighted safety concerns, including risks of brain swelling and bleeding, known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA).
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