Lilly-affiliated scientist wins Alzheimer’s Association prize

Lilly has announced that Dr Chris Clark has won the prestigious 2011 de Leon Prize in Neuroimaging for best paper from the Alzheimer's Association.

Dr Clark, medical director for Lilly subsidiary Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, was presented the award in the senior scientist category for his recent phase III study evaluating florbetapir positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging.

The purpose of the Imaging to Autopsy trial was to determine whether florbetapir-PET scans can be used to identify the presence of beta-amyloid plaques within the brains of living Alzheimer's patients.

Dr Clark stated that the prize earnings will be donated back to the Alzheimer's Association to support its future research efforts.

He added that the award "represents further validation of the importance of the study and recognition of the impact the paper may have on the future of neuroimaging of Alzheimer's disease pathology".

Earlier this month, Lilly outlined its plan to have at least ten of its drug development projects at phase III by the end of the year, a goal it is on track to meet.