Eli Lilly Launches Alzheimer’s Drug Lormalzi (Donanemab) in India

Eli Lilly and Company has officially launched Lormalzi (donanemab) in India following marketing authorization from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

The therapy has been approved for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease who are in:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage
• Mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease

The launch marks a significant milestone for India’s Alzheimer’s treatment landscape, as Lormalzi becomes the first once-monthly amyloid plaque-targeting therapy available in the country.

What is Lormalzi (Donanemab)?

Lormalzi is the Indian brand name for donanemab, an intravenous therapy developed to target amyloid plaques in the brain — one of the hallmark features associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

How It Works

Amyloid proteins naturally occur in the body, but excessive buildup in the brain can form plaques linked to:

• Memory decline
• Cognitive impairment
• Progressive neurodegeneration

Lormalzi is designed to help the body remove these amyloid plaques, potentially slowing disease progression and cognitive decline.

Key Features of Lormalzi

• Once-monthly IV infusion
• Amyloid plaque-targeting mechanism
• Designed for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease
• Intended for patients in mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stages

According to Lilly, the therapy also offers the potential for treatment optimization based on amyloid reduction.

India Faces a Rapidly Growing Alzheimer’s Burden

The launch comes as India experiences a sharp rise in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease cases driven by:

• Population aging
• Increased life expectancy
• Low disease awareness
• Delayed diagnosis

Current and Projected Dementia Burden in India

According to Lilly:

• Around 8.8 million people currently live with dementia in India
• Alzheimer’s disease accounts for the majority of cases
• The number is projected to rise to approximately 16.9 million by 2036

Globally, dementia cases are expected to reach:

• 152 million people by 2050

Economic Impact of Dementia in India

The growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is also creating a major economic burden. Lilly estimates that dementia currently costs the Indian economy:

• Approximately ₹28,300 crore annually

These costs are expected to increase significantly as prevalence rises and caregiving demands intensify.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters?

Lilly emphasized the importance of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease early, particularly before patients progress into advanced stages.

Benefits of Early Diagnosis

Early identification may help:

• Improve symptom management
• Enable timely treatment access
• Support better long-term outcomes
• Reduce caregiving burden
• Lower healthcare and social costs

According to research referenced by the company, delaying Alzheimer’s dementia onset by two years could substantially reduce care needs and associated expenses.

Lilly Highlights Long-Term Commitment to Alzheimer’s Research

Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly India, stated that Lilly has spent more than 35 years advancing Alzheimer’s research globally.

He described Alzheimer’s disease as a complex progressive condition that places a major burden on:

• Patients
• Families
• Caregivers
• Healthcare systems

Tucker added that Lilly plans to work closely with:

• Government bodies
• Healthcare systems
• Advocacy organizations
• Industry stakeholders
• Payers

to improve awareness, diagnosis, and patient access across India.

Clinical Focus on Early Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease

Rahul Kapur, Senior Director Medical at Eli Lilly India, noted that approximately one-third of patients in early symptomatic stages progress to more advanced disease stages within a year.

He emphasized that:

• Early intervention is critical
• Amyloid pathology remains a key therapeutic target
• Evidence-based treatment decisions require appropriate patient assessment

The availability of donanemab in India could therefore represent an important advancement for patients diagnosed during the earlier stages of disease progression.

Growing Global Race in Alzheimer’s Therapies

The Alzheimer’s disease treatment market has become one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most competitive and closely watched areas.

Drug developers are increasingly focusing on therapies that can:

• Slow disease progression
• Target underlying pathology
• Improve quality of life
• Delay cognitive decline

Amyloid-targeting therapies such as donanemab represent a major shift away from purely symptomatic treatment approaches.

About Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company with nearly 150 years of history in drug discovery and development.

The company focuses on major therapeutic areas including:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Immunology
• Oncology

Lilly has become one of the leading players in both obesity and neurodegenerative disease therapeutics globally.

Final Thoughts

The launch of Lormalzi in India represents an important development for Alzheimer’s disease treatment in one of the world’s fastest-growing dementia markets.

As awareness, diagnosis rates, and healthcare infrastructure evolve, therapies targeting the biological drivers of Alzheimer’s disease may play an increasingly important role in improving outcomes for patients living with early-stage cognitive decline.