By Senad Karaahmetovic
Shares of Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) are trading about 9% higher in pre-market Wednesday after the company announced positive results of the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Phase 3 study.
Donanemab, Lilly's treatment that treats early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, met the primary endpoint of change from baseline until 18 months on the integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS), the company said in a press release.
The drug slowed clinical decline by 35% compared to placebo, in addition to the 40% less decline on the ability to perform activities of daily living.
"We are extremely pleased that donanemab yielded positive clinical results with compelling statistical significance for people with Alzheimer's disease in this trial. This is the first Phase 3 trial of any investigational medicine for Alzheimer's disease to deliver 35% slowing of clinical and functional decline," said Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly's chief scientific and medical officer.
Lilly also said that almost every second participant in the trial had no clinical progression at one year. Participants also witnessed a 39% lower risk of progressing to the next stage of disease compared to placebo.