Roche Collaborates with Lilly to Enhance Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Roche announced on March 22, 2023 that it has entered into a collaboration with Eli Lilly to support the development of Roche’s Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel (EAPP), a blood test that aims to facilitate the earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

The EAPP is currently undergoing additional investigation to ensure clinical validation. The collaboration aims to support patients by improving the journey to a timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. If approved, the EAPP test would be an additional tool to identify low likelihood of amyloid pathology in symptomatic patients and determining whether further evaluation and testing may confirm a diagnosis.

According to a company press release, up to 75% of people living with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s do not have a diagnosis. Those who have received a diagnosis waited, on average, 2.8 years after symptom onset (1). The EAPP would be used as a tool to enable access to appropriate new therapies as they become available.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Lilly on such an important area of unmet medical need,” said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, in the release. “Today, over 55 million people are living with dementia, and this is projected to increase to nearly 140 million by 20502. Collaboration is essential to ensure these people receive a timely and accurate diagnosis. The Elecsys Amyloid Plasma Panel has the potential to streamline a person's journey to diagnosis and, therefore, access to future treatment options.”

Reference

1. Johns Hopkins. Life Expectancy Following Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease Depends on Age at Diagnosis. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Nov. 18, 2002.

Source: Roche