Challenge
Dementia is a major health challenge in Australia, currently affecting nearly half a million people and ranking as the nation’s second-leading cause of death. This number is expected to double by 2058. Donanemab is a new disease-modifying therapy that uses monoclonal antibodies to target early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Solution
NIF’s advanced MRI and PET imaging infrastructure supported nationwide clinical trials run by Lilly and the Australian Dementia Network. Precise imaging is vital for accurately tracking disease progression and determining whether treatments like Donanemab are effective – critical information for researchers, clinicians, regulators and patients alike.
Impact
NIF’s imaging capabilities were important in measuring donanemab’s safety and effectiveness, contributing to the evidence used in its approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This milestone brings dementia treatment into the era of molecular therapies, similar to advances in cancer and other diseases. Looking ahead, NIF is leading a world-first initiative to standardise imaging tools for more precise tracking of disease progression. These innovations will accelerate drug development and support healthier, longer lives for Australians living with dementia.
