The Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation for AZD3293, an experimental Alzheimer's drug created by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Britain-based AstraZeneca.
The agency's Fast Track program is intended to expedite the development and review of new drugs that can treat serious or life-threatening illness and address unmet medical needs, according to the FDA's website.
The progression of Alzheimer's diseases is linked to an accumulation of amyloid plague in the brain. In recent clinical trials, AZD3293 successfully reduced levels of amyloid beta in the cerebro-spinal fluid of people with the disease, as well as healthy participants.
"We are pleased the FDA places a high priority on the development of drugs that target Alzheimer's disease, one of the most critical health issues of our time," said Phyllis Ferrell, vice president and global development leader for Alzheimer's disease at Eli Lilly.
Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca recently announced a second phase 3 clinical trial to study the safety and efficacy of the drug. The trial started enrolling participants in the third quarter of 2016.
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