India Alzheimer’s drug: Eli Lilly and Company (India) has received approval from India’s drug regulator for a new Alzheimer’s treatment, in a move that could reshape how the disease is managed in its early stages in the country.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has granted marketing authorisation for donanemab (350 mg/20 mL), an intravenous infusion administered once every four weeks, for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. This includes people with mild cognitive impairment and those in the mild dementia stage, the company said.
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“The approval of donanemab marks a significant milestone in our mission to address the urgent needs of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in India,” said Winselow Tucker, president and general manager, Lilly India. By targeting amyloid plaques in the brain and slowing cognitive decline, the therapy aims to give patients and their families “more time and a better quality of life,” he added.
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for an estimated 60–70% of cases. In India, experts say the condition remains heavily underdiagnosed, often mistaken as a “normal” part of ageing or ignored until symptoms become severe. According to estimates cited by the company, more than 8 million people in India are likely to be living with dementia by 2030, with Alzheimer’s forming the largest share of these cases. In this context, a disease-modifying drug approved for early stages is being viewed as a potentially important addition to the limited treatment options currently available.
Neurologists say the approval may also lead to earlier detection, more routine cognitive screening in older adults, and better awareness among families and primary care doctors. However, questions around cost, access outside major metros, need for specialist supervision, and eligibility criteria are expected to shape how quickly Indian patients can actually benefit from the drug.