AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly partner for dementia drug

AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly have announced they are expanding their unprecedented partnership to defeat dementia.

The pharmaceutical giants are collaborating to develop an Alzheimer’s drug. MEDI1814 would selectively bind to amyloid-beta 42, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease, to potentially slow the disease’s progression.

“MEDI1814 has a unique mechanism among antibodies in clinical development and could provide a distinct approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease,” said Mene Pangalos, AztraZeneca executive vice president of IMED biotech unit and business development to Pharmacy Times.

The drug is currently in phase 1 trials and builds upon an existing collaboration linked to AZD3293, a BACE inhibitor that is currently in two phase 3 trials.

Related: Eli Lilly raises white flag on dementia drug trial

Hope for Alzheimer’s research

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.