Lilly Acquires Novel Tau Tangle Diagnostic Program to Bolster Alzheimer's Disease Research and Development
Lilly will initially focus on incorporating this new technology into its anti-amyloid and anti-tau research and development (R&D) programs. Use of a tau tangle tracer could enable tailoring and early identification of at-risk patients, as well as potentially provide a marker for treatment response. Lilly also has the option to commercialize the tracers. The tracers will be developed and validated by a team at Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Lilly's wholly owned subsidiary focused on molecular imaging. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
"The acquisition of these tau tangle tracers builds on our 25-year commitment of investing in Alzheimer's disease research and development to bring new medicines to patients facing the terrible consequences of Alzheimer's disease," said
"PET imaging is a valuable tool in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, and Siemens is committed to helping fight this growing threat to our aging population," said
There are two defining pathologies linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease: the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein that forms beta-amyloid plaques outside of neurons, and the accumulation of tau protein that forms tau tangles inside them.The formation of tau tangles is thought to block the transport of nutrients and essential molecules throughout the cell, leading to neurodegeneration, or the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons. The formation of tau tangles mostly occurs after beta-amyloid plaques have developed, but unlike beta-amyloid plaques the evolution of tau tangle pathology is believed to closely mirror cognitive decline.
Scientists theorize that both beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles are required for the development of Alzheimer's disease, with the accumulation of amyloid beta representing the early trigger that initiates the disease process and tau tangles playing a secondary but critical role in the process of neuronal toxicity and death. For this reason, Lilly has established R&D programs to explore both the amyloid and tau hypotheses. Today's acquisition will inform and help progress Lilly's multiple approaches to treating Alzheimer's disease, with the goal of speeding innovation to patients worldwide.
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Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in
This press release contains forward-looking statements about the potential benefits of Lilly's acquisition of two novel tau tangle PET tracers from Siemens, and the potential for these tracers for use in the research and development of treatments for Alzheimer's disease. It reflects Lilly's and Siemens' current beliefs; however, as with any pharmaceutical product or diagnostic tool, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of research, development, and commercialization. Further, there is no guarantee that the Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the acquisition, that the acquired PET tracers will be commercialized, or that the use of the tracers will further Lilly's research or progress in working to discover a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see Lilly's latest Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The companies undertake no duty to update forward-looking statements.
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