Eli Lilly and Company India has officially launched Lormalzi (donanemab) in India, introducing one of the first amyloid plaque-targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease to the nation. This significant development comes as India faces a rapidly increasing burden of dementia cases, driven by an aging population, low awareness, and delayed diagnoses.
Understanding Lormalzi: A New Approach to Alzheimer's
Lormalzi is indicated for patients experiencing mild cognitive impairment or those in the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's disease. Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), it stands as India's first and only once-monthly treatment of its kind for early symptomatic Alzheimer's.
The therapy operates by targeting and helping to remove amyloid plaques—sticky protein clumps that accumulate in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's. These plaques are believed to damage brain cells, contributing to memory loss and cognitive decline. By addressing these abnormal protein deposits, Lormalzi aims to slow the progression of cognitive decline in eligible patients diagnosed in the early stages of the disease.
India's Growing Dementia Challenge
The launch of Lormalzi is particularly timely given the escalating dementia crisis in India. Estimates suggest that approximately 8.8 million people in India currently live with dementia, a number projected to surge to nearly 16.9 million by 2036. Alzheimer's disease accounts for the majority of these cases, placing immense emotional, clinical, and societal pressure on patients and their caregivers.
Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly and Company India, emphasized the company's long-standing commitment to innovation in the region. "The launch of Lormalzi in India reflects our longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and supporting evidence-based intervention for people living with Alzheimer's disease in India," Tucker stated.
Clinical Evidence and Early Intervention
Clinical studies, including the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2023, have demonstrated that donanemab may help slow the progression of cognitive decline. Rahul Kapur, Senior Director, Medical, Eli Lilly and Company India, highlighted the critical importance of early intervention. "Approximately one-third of patients in early symptomatic stages of the disease will progress to more advanced clinical stages within one year, highlighting the need to address key drivers of disease progression," Kapur noted.
Beyond the human cost, dementia also poses a substantial economic challenge for India, with current estimates suggesting an annual cost exceeding ₹28,300 crore. This financial burden is expected to grow further as life expectancy rises. Globally, the number of people living with dementia is projected to reach 152 million by 2050.
Lilly believes that improving early diagnosis and patient assessment can facilitate timely intervention, enhance the quality of life for patients, and potentially mitigate the long-term caregiving costs associated with Alzheimer's disease.