Lilly and AstraZeneca announce alliance to co-develop potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (NYSE:LLY)

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and AstraZeneca today announced an agreement to co-develop and commercialize AZD3293, an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor currently in development as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

The progression of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain. BACE is an enzyme associated with the development of beta-amyloid. Inhibiting BACE is expected to prevent the formation of amyloid plaque and eventually slow the progression of the disease.

Lilly and AstraZeneca announce alliance to co-develop potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (NYSE:LLY)