At the AD/PD 2026 conference, Eli Lilly and Company unveiled compelling data regarding the economic and clinical utility of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The research evaluates a diagnostic pathway where confirmatory blood testing identifies amyloid pathology—a hallmark of the disease—in symptomatic patients. By integrating these tests into standard workflows, clinicians can triage patients more effectively, potentially accelerating the transition from initial cognitive screening to specialized treatment.

One of the most significant findings is the drastic reduction in the need for invasive and expensive procedures. The study reported a 40% decrease in the use of positron emission tomography (PET) scans and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing when blood biomarkers were utilized. This shift not only lowers the physical burden on patients but also addresses logistical bottlenecks, as PET and CSF services are often difficult to schedule or entirely unavailable in rural and underserved regions.

From a fiscal perspective, the diagnostic strategy proved highly efficient. Anthony Sireci (Senior Vice President of Clinical Biomarkers at Eli Lilly) noted that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER)—a metric used to calculate the cost of gaining one quality-adjusted life year (QALY)—was approximately $5,000. This figure sits significantly below the typical US payer threshold of $50,000 to $150,000, suggesting that blood-based diagnostics offer a sustainable solution for scaling Alzheimer’s care across broad populations while improving long-term patient outcomes.

At the AD/PD 2026 conference, Eli Lilly and Company unveiled compelling data regarding the economic and clinical utility of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The research evaluates a diagnostic pathway where confirmatory blood testing identifies amyloid pathology—a hallmark of the disease—in symptomatic patients. By integrating these tests into standard workflows, clinicians can triage patients more effectively, potentially accelerating the transition from initial cognitive screening to specialized treatment.

One of the most significant findings is the drastic reduction in the need for invasive and expensive procedures. The study reported a 40% decrease in the use of positron emission tomography (PET) scans and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing when blood biomarkers were utilized. This shift not only lowers the physical burden on patients but also addresses logistical bottlenecks, as PET and CSF services are often difficult to schedule or entirely unavailable in rural and underserved regions.

From a fiscal perspective, the diagnostic strategy proved highly efficient. Anthony Sireci (Senior Vice President of Clinical Biomarkers at Eli Lilly) noted that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER)—a metric used to calculate the cost of gaining one quality-adjusted life year (QALY)—was approximately $5,000. This figure sits significantly below the typical US payer threshold of $50,000 to $150,000, suggesting that blood-based diagnostics offer a sustainable solution for scaling Alzheimer’s care across broad populations while improving long-term patient outcomes.