Lilly launches Lormalzi in India to slow Alzheimer's progression
Lilly launches Lormalzi in India to slow Alzheimer's progression
Eli Lilly's Lormalzi (donanemab) arrives in India as a once-monthly therapy aimed at early-stage Alzheimer's, amid rising dementia cases.
Eli Lilly and Company India on Wednesday launched Lormalzi (donanemab) in India, marking the entry of one of the first amyloid plaque-targeting therapies for Alzheimer’s disease in the country. The drug, approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), is indicated for patients with mild cognitive impairment or those in the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease. It is described as the first and only once-monthly treatment of its kind in India for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Lormalzi belongs to a class of amyloid plaque-targeting therapies that aim to reduce sticky protein deposits in the brain, which are believed to drive memory loss and cognitive decline. The dosing is once monthly, with a limited-duration course guided by the reduction in brain amyloid plaques, according to Lilly.
The launch comes as India faces a sharp rise in dementia cases driven by an ageing population, low awareness, and delayed diagnosis. Lilly cites estimates that dementia affects about 8.8 million people in India today, with cases projected to nearly 16.9 million by 2036.
Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly India, said the company’s launch reflects a commitment to advancing innovation and evidence-based intervention for people living with Alzheimer’s disease in India.
In India, Lormalzi is priced at Rs 91,688 per vial, highlighting ongoing questions about access and affordability even as regulators approve new therapies.
Doctors will need to monitor patients for safety and response, as with other amyloid-targeting therapies, and eligibility is limited to those in early stages.
