Avid Radiopharmaceuticals
Dan Skovronsky's journey in the quest to unravel Alzheimer's disease began with his research at the University of Pennsylvania that ultimately led to Avid Radiopharmaceuticals. Founded by Skovronsky in 2004 and incubated at the Science Center, Avid was an innovative startup that focused on developing imaging agents to detect Alzheimer's pathology in the brain.
Avid developed Amyvid, a PET imaging agent that can identify the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Before Amyvid, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease definitively often required post-mortem examination of the brain. Amyvid allowed clinicians to detect amyloid plaques in living patients. This advancement not only improved diagnostic accuracy but also opened new doors for early intervention and clinical trials.
Enter Lilly.
In 2009, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals was acquired by Lilly. Despite Lilly’s headquarters being based in Indianapolis, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals remained at uCity Square (fka the Science Center campus).
As a result of the acquisition, Skovronsky became part of Lilly’s global leadership team. He brought with him a vision to accelerate drug development for Alzheimer's disease - as well as other conditions Lilly focuses on. His tenure at Lilly marked a pivotal moment in Alzheimer's research, as the company committed substantial resources to tackle this complex disease.
This advancement not only improved diagnostic accuracy but also opened new doors for early intervention and clinical trials.
Under Skovronsky's leadership, Lilly initiated several ambitious clinical trials for potential Alzheimer's drugs, including solanezumab and donanemab. These trials represented a significant step forward in the search for effective treatments.
Skovronsky championed open science, advocating for transparency and data sharing within the Alzheimer's research community. This collaborative approach has fostered cooperation among researchers and pharmaceutical companies, accelerating the pace of discovery and development.
Skovronsky's mark on Alzheimer's research:
- Improved Diagnosis: Through Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Skovronsky introduced Amyvid, which allowed for earlier detection and more accurate assessments of Alzheimer's disease.
- Accelerated Drug Development: At Lilly, Skovronsky's leadership sped up the development of potential Alzheimer's drugs, contributing to a growing pipeline of therapies.
- Transparency and Collaboration: Skovronsky's commitment to open science has fostered greater collaboration among researchers and institutions, enhancing the collective effort against Alzheimer's disease.
- Inspiration: His dedication and pioneering spirit have inspired countless scientists to continue the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
Skovronsky championed open science, advocating for transparency and data sharing within the Alzheimer's research community.
His innovative work in imaging and drug development has advanced our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and brought us closer to effective treatments. As we continue to grapple with the challenges posed by Alzheimer's, Skovronsky's impact stands as a testament to the power of science, determination, and collaboration in the quest for a world without Alzheimer's disease.
The Nucleus Awards
Presented by CSL
Join us on September 26th as we honor Dan Skovronky with the Commercialization Award.
2023 commercialize award sponsor
