In the latest setback to UC San Diego in its battle with the University of Southern California, Eli Lilly and Co. on Tuesday notified the La Jolla school of plans to end its contract with the university for management of a landmark Alzheimer’s study.
UCSD could lose tens of millions of dollars, said a Union-Tribune report.
The so-called A4 study is a clinical trial testing solanezumab in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease in older individuals who have evidence of amyloid in their brains on a PET scan, but do not show symptoms of memory impairment.
A4 has been managed by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study at UCSD. Lilly, the National Institutes of Health and multiple philanthropic organizations fund the study.
Dr. Paul Aisen, who had been director of ADCS, and many members of the ADCS staff left UCSD this summer to join USC — sparking a UCSD lawsuit.
Last month, Judge Judith Hayes ruled that UCSD controlled the nationwide study, indicating that UCSD likely would prevail if the case went to trial.
Last week, USC filed a countersuit against UCSD to try to regain control of the study.
The San Diego Union-Tribune last month said: “Some experts worry that a lengthy court battle could impede the search for treatments to halt or reverse Alzheimer’s, a disorder that causes dementia and memory loss and is a leading cause of death among seniors.”
- Related: What’s behind UCSD, USC court battle? (Union-Tribune)
- Related: UCSD Sues USC and Researcher Over Major Alzheimer’s Study
- Related: Lilly yanks millions from UCSD for Alzheimer’s study (Union-Tribune)
- PR statement: Lilly to End Contract with the UCSD for A4 Alzheimer’s Study
Phyllis Ferrell, Alzheimer’s Platform Leader for Lilly, said: “Lilly continues to be committed to the continuation and completion of this landmark study. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing efforts of the A4 study participants, study investigators and the NIH. We wish to thank UCSD for its work to date and cooperation as the A4 study transitions.
“Lilly has many ongoing collaborations with researchers at UCSD and within the UC system more broadly, and nothing in our decision concerning the A4 study should be read to reflect any diminished enthusiasm in working with UCSD on these other important projects.”
In a statement noting the lawsuit, the company said: “From the outset of this unfortunate dispute, Lilly has publicly stated that the company’s objectives are to maintain the safety of the A4 participants, ensure scientific and data integrity for the study and maintain our obligations as the regulatory sponsor.”
Lilly said it found it in the best interest of the A4 study and its participants to end UCSD’s management of the study.
“The A4 study will continue uninterrupted as the company initiates discussions with the University of Southern California about transitioning management and oversight of the study, while the company will simultaneously work with UCSD on a transition plan,” Lilly said.
UC San Diego did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— City News Service contributed to this report.
