New Alzheimer Drug Shows 40% Reduction in Cognitive Decline

A Phase III clinical trial of a new Alzheimer disease treatment has shown a 40% reduction in the rate of cognitive decline over 18 months — the most promising advance in the field in decades. The drug, donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, works by clearing amyloid plaques from the brain. It is administered monthly via intravenous infusion. The trial enrolled 1,736 participants with early-stage Alzheimers across 24 countries. Patients in the treatment group showed significantly better performance throughout the study period. Analysts estimate the drug could generate annual sales of over $15 billion given the global scale of Alzheimers disease, which affects over 55 million people worldwide.