Lilly medicine company has received marketing approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for its Alzheimer’s disease treatment, donanemab. The authorised product is a 350 mg/20 mL injection.
It is administered once every four weeks through an intravenous infusion. The drug is approved for adults in the early symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This includes patients with mild cognitive impairment and those already experiencing mild dementia.
In a statement, Winselow Tucker, president and general manager of Lilly India, said the approval represents an important milestone for the company and for patients in India. He noted that Alzheimer’s disease places a heavy emotional and financial burden on families.
According to Tucker, donanemab targets amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a key feature of the disease. By removing these plaques, the treatment can slow the progression of cognitive decline. Tucker emphasized that this can give patients more time with preserved memory and functioning, improving their overall quality of life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia around the world. It accounts for 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases. However, the condition remains significantly underdiagnosed in India. Many patients are not aware of the early signs, and diagnosis often occurs only after the disease has progressed. Limited awareness, social stigma, and lack of access to specialized care also contribute to delayed detection.
Health experts warn that the number of people affected by dementia in India is rising quickly. The company noted that by 2030, more than 8 million people in India are expected to be living with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease will represent the largest share of these cases. This growing burden highlights the urgent need for improved screening, earlier diagnosis, and broader access to treatment options.
With CDSCO’s approval of donanemab, Lilly medicine company aims to support patients and caregivers facing the daily challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. The company says the new therapy offers a clinically meaningful way to slow decline in memory and thinking. Lilly also stated that it remains committed to expanding its research and working with healthcare providers to strengthen India’s approach to managing neurodegenerative diseases.
Related topics
