BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

Eli Lilly, Siemens deal

April 22, 2013 7:00 AM UTC

Eli Lilly acquired two PET tracers from Siemens to image microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT; tau; FTDP-17) tangles in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Lilly will initially focus on incorporating the technologies into its R&D programs against beta amyloid and tau. According to Lilly, scientists theorize that both beta amyloid and tau tangles are required for the development of AD. Additionally, Lilly said the use of a tau tangle tracer could enable tailoring and early identification of at-risk patients and provide a marker for treatment response. The pharma has the option to commercialize the tracers, which Lilly's Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc. molecular imaging subsidiary will develop and validate. Eli Lilly declined to disclose details, while Siemens could not be reached (see BioCentury, Nov. 15, 2010 & Jan. 3, 2011). ...