Washington, D.C. (January 11, 2021) - UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) today issued the following statement from George Vradenburg, chairman and co-founder, in response to new clinical trial results of Eli Lilly & Co.’s experimental Alzheimer’s drug donanemab, which slowed cognitive decline, inability to perform daily tasks, and memory loss by 32 percent, compared to those who received the placebo:

“These results reaffirm the strong belief of UsA2 that hope is indeed on the horizon – and that our nation remains on a path towards treatments and a cure. Our organization, together with the broader Alzheimer’s community, looks forward to learning more about the results of the trial and how donanemab could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in those who are in mild stages of the disease.

“These trial results also underscore the need for an Operation Warp Speed-like effort for Alzheimer's with collaborative public-private leadership. Like the successful acceleration of the development of COVID-19 vaccines, the process for developing and approving a drug to treat Alzheimer’s should be streamlined to ensure that a treatment is found and distributed. Treatments and a cure would bring relief to the millions of Americans with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, and loved ones – particularly to communities of color who are disproportionately impacted. Alzheimer’s is already the United States’ most expensive disease, and we know the cost for developing a cure is far lower than the cost to continue managing Alzheimer’s.

“UsA2 remains optimistic about our nation’s continued progress towards a cure. We thank all those patients and individuals who have participated in donanemab clinical trials, and applaud Eli Lilly & Co. for their work in developing donanemab as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and for persevering in the fight to find a cure.”

###