Lilly Launches Jiningda® (Donanemab Injection) in China to Accelerate Patient Access
Eli Lilly
Global Pharmaceutical R&D and Production Company
March 29, 2025, Beijing —— Eli Lilly and Company in China today announced the launch of its revolutionary drug, Jienengda, designed for the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, targeting the disease's pathological mechanisms, and significantly slowing disease progression.®(Donanemab Injection) Officially Launched in China. Jienengda®As a Class 1 new drug and breakthrough therapy, it was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China on December 17, 2024, for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease in adults. Jienengda, administered once a month.®It is the only amyloid-targeted therapy with evidence supporting discontinuation, helping patients and their families achieve a longer period of quality living by precisely seizing the critical window for early intervention, and contributing to alleviating the disease and socio-economic burdens brought by population aging.
Ms. De Herland, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly ChinaIndicates:
"As the aging of the population intensifies, the Chinese government is taking active steps to enhance the prevention and control of Alzheimer's disease. Jienengda®It brings hope to some Alzheimer's patients and adds a treatment option targeting the disease’s pathological mechanism, which will help alleviate the social burden brought by aging. We will greatly improve patient access by collaborating with all relevant parties, including industry, government, payers, health systems, and advocacy organizations, to further remove barriers to accessing and using Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment methods, leveraging innovation in healthcare to reduce the burden on patients, families, public health, and society."
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Professor Chen Xiaochun, Department of Neurology, Xiehe Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical UniversityEmphasis:
"In recent years, with the rapid development of diagnostic technologies and pathological research, the treatment of Alzheimer's disease has ushered in new hope. However, establishing a comprehensive Alzheimer's disease ecosystem to enhance early diagnosis and treatment remains a significant challenge. To meet the growing clinical needs as soon as possible and serve the elderly patients promptly, it is essential for all parties to collaborate in strengthening the innovation, development, and promotion of diagnostic technologies and innovative drugs. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment are the most urgent and feasible first steps."
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Dr. Li Wang, Vice President of Eli Lilly and Company, Head of Drug Development and Medical Affairs Center, Eli Lilly ChinaIndicates:
"For more than 35 years, Eli Lilly and Company has pioneered new approaches in the research of Alzheimer's disease treatments and diagnostic methods. Patient-centered and clinically valuable solutions remain our unwavering philosophy. We believe that the earlier patients are identified and diagnosed, the greater their potential to benefit from treatment. Through accelerating..."®In clinical applications, Eli Lilly and Company hopes to help Alzheimer's patients in China receive treatment at the early stage of the disease, slow down the progression of the disease, and win more independent time for Chinese patients with early Alzheimer's disease."
Alzheimer's disease is a fatal condition that leads to the gradual decline of memory and other cognitive functions, accounting for 50%-70% of dementia cases in old age and is one of the leading causes of death.iHowever, most Alzheimer's patients in China are usually discovered long after memory and cognitive problems appear. Currently, the consultation rate for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in China is 28.6%, while the consultation rate for mild cognitive impairment is only 2.8%.ii Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage.iii,iv, losing the opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment.
At the same time, Alzheimer's disease (AD) brings a heavy burden to families and society. A study showed that in 2015, the total annual cost for AD patients in China accounted for about 1.47% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reaching 1.1 trillion RMB; it is estimated that by 2030, the socioeconomic cost of Alzheimer’s disease in China will reach 3.2 trillion RMB, and by 2050, it will reach 11.9 trillion RMB.vHowever, a study showed that the total cost of moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease is 1.3 and 2.1 times that of mild Alzheimer's disease, respectively.viEspecially for patients in the middle and late stages, the average daily care demand is over 10 hours, and the average annual care cost for patients with severe dementia is about twice that of patients with mild dementia.vii
Monthly Dosing of Jienengda®It is the only therapy targeting amyloid plaques with evidence supporting that treatment can be stopped after the clearance of amyloid plaques, helping patients reduce the treatment burden by decreasing the number of infusions and offering a limited course of treatment. Research shows that, for patients eligible to receive Donanemab...®In the population of patients with early Alzheimer's disease under treatment conditions, the medication shows better efficacy in patients at even earlier stages of the disease. In groups where the disease has progressed relatively early, those receiving Donanemab...®Treatment significantly slowed disease progression by 35% in treated patients, while in the overall population, drug treatment slowed progression by 22%.viii, ixClinical trials have confirmed that Jienengda®Can reduce the risk of patients' disease progressing to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease by 50%, helping early mild patients regain up to 37.3 months before losing independence.x。
Eli Lilly is willing to cooperate with all stakeholders to make positive contributions to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease in China and the construction of a dementia-friendly society. To this end, we call for the use of innovative mechanisms to promote the early implementation of policies, enhance societal awareness of the disease, and establish a consensus that dementia in old age is preventable and treatable.
References
Lilly
About Jienengda®(Donanemab Injection)
Ji Neng Da®(Donanemab Injection) has been approved by the China National Medical Products Administration for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and mild dementia of Alzheimer's disease in adults. Donanemab®It is the only therapy targeting amyloid with evidence supporting discontinuation after clearing amyloid plaques. Donanemab®It is a prescription medicine administered intravenously once every four weeks, with the first three doses at 700 mg, followed by 1400 mg.
Lilly
About the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Study
And TRAILBLAZER-ALZ Series Studies
TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 (NCT04437511) is a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of donanemab in patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease and confirmed Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes. The trial, based on cognitive assessments combined with evidence of Alzheimer's disease pathology, enrolled 1,736 participants from 8 countries. The results of the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Phase 3 study have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Eli Lilly continues to study donanemab in multiple clinical trials, including TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 3, which aims to investigate the preventive treatment of disease progression in participants with preclinical Alzheimer's disease; TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5, a clinical trial for early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease being conducted in several countries, including China; and TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 6, which aims to expand our understanding of ARIA through novel MRI sequences, blood-based biomarkers, and different dosing regimens of donanemab.
Lilly
About Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving human health through scientific innovation and benefiting patients worldwide. As a leader in the healthcare industry, Eli Lilly and Company has nearly 150 years of history. Today, our medicines have helped tens of millions of people around the world. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry, and genomic medicine, our scientists are actively advancing new medical breakthroughs to address severe global health challenges. Redefining therapies for diabetes and obesity, reducing the long-term impact of obesity on the body; supporting prevention and treatment efforts for Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions for a range of immune-mediated diseases that threaten human health; and transforming difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable conditions. Every step Eli Lilly and Company takes toward a healthier world is driven by our belief in "making life better for millions of patients." This includes innovative clinical trials aimed at addressing multiple global challenges, while ensuring the accessibility and affordability of medicines. For more information about Eli Lilly and Company, please visit: www.lilly.com.
Lilly
Regarding Trademarks and Trade Names
All trademarks or trade names mentioned in this article are owned by Eli Lilly and Company. If trademarks or trade names of other companies are mentioned, their ownership belongs to their respective owners. For ease of reading, the ® and ™ symbols are not marked for the trademarks and trade names mentioned in this article; however, this does not mean that Eli Lilly and Company or (where applicable) the respective owners will not assert their rights to these trademarks and trade names to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Our use or display of trademarks and trade names of other companies does not imply any affiliation with these companies or suggest endorsement or sponsorship by them.
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