FDA approves second Alzheimer’s drug that can slow onset of disease

A sign for Eli Lilly outside their corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. Photograph: Darron Cummings/AP

Federal health authorities on Tuesday gave approval to an experimental new drug that has shown to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in trials.

Donanemab, manufactured by Eli Lilly, is the second medication that has won the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients showing early symptoms of the disease, most prominently cognitive impairment.