An Alzheimer’s experimental drug from Eli Lilly & Co. helped. patients in a small trial, the company said Monday, renewing hope that researchers are shutting down on treatments that can fight the disease.
The drug slowed the decline in memory and the ability to perform activities of daily living 32% after 18 months among people who received the treatment compared to those who received a placebo, Lilly said.
The drug Lilly, called donanemab, met the main goal of the study, according to the company – the milestone of one Alzheimer’s experimental drug after another failed.
“It’s a great moment for Alzheimer’s patients. There is hope again, ”said Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific officer.
Lilly shares rose more than 10% in early trading on the New York stock exchange. Lilly gave only the highest results in the study, saying details would follow at a medical meeting and in an article in a peer-reviewed journal.