FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Amyvid

The FDA just approved Eli Lilly’s novel imaging agent, Amyvid (florbetapir).  Amyvid is a molecular imaging agent that detects beta-amyloid plaque in the brain.  The presence of the plaque is closely associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.

In January 2011, an FDA Advisory Committee voted 16-0 to recommend approval of Amyvid pending the implementation of training program to teach physicians how to use the agent.

Amyvid was the lynchpin in Eli Lilly’s 2010 acquisition of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals.

Production and Distribution of Amyvid will be handled by PETNET Solutions, a subsidiary of Siemens.