Researchers, diagnostics and pharma unite on Alzheimer’s blueprint

A new alliance is set to to rewrite the future of Alzheimer’s care in Australia, bringing together researchers with the diagnostics and pharmaceutical sectors in a landmark effort to tackle one of the nation’s fastest-growing health challenges.

The three-way collaboration between Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Roche Diagnostics Australia and Lilly Australia, announced in Sydney today, will develop a blueprint for healthcare system readiness addressing critical gaps in early detection, diagnosis, treatment access and the infrastructure required to ensure emerging health innovations can be delivered effectively.

With more than 450,000 Australians currently living with dementia, and the condition costing the nation more than $18 billion each year, the need for a coordinated approach to Alzheimer’s care is becoming increasingly urgent. Dementia remains the leading cause of death in Australia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for approximately 75% of all dementia cases.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will support the implementation of the National Dementia Action Plan by piloting a new model of care that integrates blood-based biomarkers (BBMs), imaging technologies and treatments into streamlined referral pathways. The initiative will also focus on educating and equipping a multidisciplinary healthcare workforce to build the capability required to deliver high-quality Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and management.

“We believe that the model of care this collaboration will create should be the leading example for how Australia supports and looks after people who are or might be living with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, CEO of NeuRA. “We know that early diagnosis is essential to the most effective disease management. Crucially this provides patients with an accelerated referral pathway from a personalised diagnosis to timely access to appropriate treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.”

The collaboration will initially focus on New South Wales, leveraging the clinical, research and innovation capabilities of the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct. The initiative will draw on NeuRA’s constituent partners within the precinct, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and the University of New South Wales, while establishing a framework designed to support national transformation.

“The ultimate aim is to refine a model of care that can be replicated across Australia, including the education of an entire healthcare workforce that will be required to deliver such care at scale,” added Professor Kiernan.

At the centre of the pilot will be the integration of Roche Diagnostics’ Elecsys Phospho-Tau (217p) and and pTau181 plasma assays and Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab), creating a new model of care designed to redefine Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and management.

“For too long, receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in Australia has meant years of uncertainty, multiple referrals and limited access to specialised testing. Blood-based biomarkers have the potential to change that by helping identify Alzheimer’s disease earlier,” said Anand Vairavan, Managing Director for Roche Diagnostics Australia. “Real change comes from integrating innovation into the healthcare system, and that is what makes this collaboration so important. Together, we have an opportunity to create a model of care that could become a blueprint for Australia.”

The Elecsys pTau217 is a blood test developed in collaboration with Eli Lilly and designed to both ‘rule in’ and ‘rule out’ Alzheimer’s pathology in people experiencing cognitive symptoms. It provides an alternative to more invasive or less accessible diagnostic approaches, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessment and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

“We know that no single organisation can transform healthcare alone. Our future depends on deep, authentic partnerships across sectors,” said Prajni Sadananda, Business Unit Director Neuroscience, Lilly Australia. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to the Alzheimer’s community, bringing the right partners together and always looking for new and innovative ways to improve outcomes for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.”

The collaboration comes at a pivotal time for Alzheimer’s treatment in Australia. Despite the 2025 TGA approval of Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab), the first disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease in two decades, access remains a challenge as it has yet to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Existing treatment options remain largely focused on symptom management rather than altering disease progression.

The MoU will ensure consumer needs and patient experience remain central to the pilot program design, while establishing post-treatment care plans to support patients throughout their treatment journey.

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