Eli Lilly Delays Application for Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug

Eli Lilly said it will hold off on seeking accelerated approval of its investigational Alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, until later this year, rather than completing filing during the first quarter as originally intended.

The move follows a recent Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) draft decision restricting coverage of Alzheimer’s antibody therapies only to participating in clinical trials. A final CMS decision is due in April.

The company wants to shift focus away from when exactly it will seek accelerated approval since the commercial impact is likely to be limited, said Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific officer in a Feb. 3 investor call.