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Eli Lilly Announces Expanded Services to Early Diagnosis and Access Alzheimer Disease Care
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Key Takeaways
- LillyDirect's expansion aims to improve AD diagnosis and care through partnerships with Healthgrades and Synapticure, enhancing access to specialized services.
- Healthgrades assists patients in finding local clinicians experienced in AD diagnosis and management, offering a user-friendly search tool.
Eli Lilly’s expanded LillyDirect platform tackles barriers in Alzheimer disease diagnosis and care, offering telehealth and in-person options through Healthgrades and Synapticure, with a focus on timely access and patient support.
David Hyman, MD
Eli Lilly has announced the expansion of its LillyDirect digital healthcare platform to address barriers in Alzheimer disease (AD) diagnosis and care for people in the U.S. Through partnerships with Healthgrades and Synapticure, LillyDirect now offers streamlined connections to independent in-person and telehealth services.1
Healthgrades is an independent online platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals across various specialties. In collaboration with the LillyDirect healthcare platform, Healthgrades assists individuals in locating local, office-based clinicians experienced in diagnosing and managing conditions such as AD. Patients and families have access to a search tool, which offers multiple filtering and sorting options, allowing users to find specialized healthcare providers within the database that fit their needs.
In addition to Healthgrades and Synapticure, the company also continues to offer disease state education for people with memory concerns through MoreThanNormalAging.com. This platform provides resources to help users distinguish between normal age-related changes and potential early signs of conditions like AD. Key features of the site include information on recognizing symptoms that indicate more typical aging, explanations about amyloid plaques and their association with AD, guidance on what to anticipate during medical evaluations for memory concerns, and advice on initiating conversations with healthcare providers and exploring treatment options.
"We know that early diagnosis and care can make a big difference for people living with Alzheimer's disease. By expanding this platform, we hope to help patients identify and access additional independent specialty care capacity, which can coordinate with a patient's existing care team," David Hyman, MD, chief medical officer at Eli Lilly, said in a statement.1 "The addition of Alzheimer's disease to LillyDirect reaffirms our commitment to empower patients to locate the care that is right for them when they need it."
Eli Lilly’s donanemab (Kisulna), an antiamyloid treatment, became one of the few approved therapies for early-stage AD in July 2024, following Eisai’s lecanemab (Leqembi).2 While the expansion in treatment options for this aging population has been encouraging, the clinical community has faced challenges with diagnosing the growing number of patients with early AD, thus delaying access to treatments. Limited access to specialists, particularly in underserved areas, and long wait times for appointments, have further delayed diagnosis in this patient population. In addition, many patients and caregivers mistake early symptoms, such as memory lapses or confusion, for normal aging, delaying the pursuit of medical evaluation.
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Synapticure, now available through LillyDirect, provides comprehensive telehealth services across all phases of AD care, including diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Its multidisciplinary approach ensures high-quality care, with live video visits, broad insurance coverage, prior authorization support, 24-hour access, and ongoing medication and care management. Behavioral health and lifestyle support are also integral to its offerings.
Diagnostic tests are conducted at healthcare facilities, while Synapticure coordinates care during emergencies, remaining connected with patients until they reach a hospital. Patients are typically connected with a care navigator within two days of inquiry and can see a neurologist experienced in AD care within two weeks, ensuring timely and coordinated support for those navigating this complex disease.
"As a caregiver of someone with a neurodegenerative condition, I helped start Synapticure to ensure that patients receive timely and accurate diagnoses, as well as ongoing support and treatment,” Sandra Abrevaya, chief executive officer at Synapticure, said in a statement. “We are excited to be added to LillyDirect as a patient option for comprehensive telehealth services for Alzheimer's patients, especially those in rural and underserved communities. By leveraging our experienced team of clinicians and advanced telehealth capabilities, we aim to provide hope and help for patients and their families."
