Eli Lilly sales and marketing update

Eli Lilly launched Amyvid florbetapir in 16 sites across the U.S. as a PET imaging agent to estimate beta amyloid neuritic plaque density in patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline. The wholesale acquisition cost for Amyvid is $1,600 per dose. Lilly also launched the online training program. Amyvid's label said scans should only be interpreted by readers who completed Lilly's online or in-person training program. FDA approved Amyvid in April. Lilly gained the imaging agent labeled with fluorine 18 (F-18) that binds to amyloid plaques through its acquisition of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc. in 2010 (see BioCentury, Nov. 15, 2010 & April 16, 2012). ...