Hackensack Meridian Health and Eisai Join Forces on Alzheimer’s Disease

On May 25, 2021

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest, most comprehensive and integrated health network, and Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., have entered into a research collaboration agreement that initially aims to help address the significant unmet needs of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, especially those experiencing the earliest stages of the disease, known as Mild Cognitive Impairment.

“We are proud to join forces with Eisai in our quest to expand early Alzheimer’s disease detection and improve community services for patients, caregivers and families impacted by the disease and other types of dementia,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. “Hackensack Meridian Health’s mission is to transform health care and this collaboration will help us to achieve our goals and benefit our communities.’’

The organizations will support the expansion of early Alzheimer’s disease education, detection and community services for patients and caregivers, as well as evaluate emerging tools and technological diagnostic solutions through real-world, evidence-based investigation within the Hackensack Meridian Health network. The ultimate goals of this collaboration are to further enhance care plans to support patients and their caregivers in each stage of the disease and to contribute to scalable and reproducible multi-disciplinary approaches for patient identification and management in early Alzheimer’s disease.

“The collaboration with Hackensack Meridian Health is an exciting next step in both organizations’ legacy and leadership in discovering and providing solutions to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias,” said Alexander Scott, executive vice president, Integrity at Eisai. “As part of Eisai’s human health care mission, we are dedicated to making a difference for patients and their families.”

Hackensack Meridian Health and Eisai each have unique expertise and a deep commitment to the treatment and care of Alzheimer’s disease patients and their caregivers. The Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center offers integrated, high-quality screening, diagnostic and treatment services for adults living with cognitive or memory impairment caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. It is led by Manisha Parulekar, M.D., AGSF, FACP, division chief, Geriatrics; Florian Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., chair and professor, Neurology and Neuroscience Institute; Laurie G. Jacobs, M.D., AGSF, FACP, chair and professor of Medicine; and Lisa Tank, M.D., chief medical officer, Hackensack University Medical Center, who all hold faculty appointments at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

“Both Hackensack Meridian Health and Eisai share a common goal to increase community awareness about the importance of early detection, especially in the earliest stages of cognitive loss before patients meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis,” said Dr. Parulekar. “This awareness will help improve the patient and caregiver journey for those living with memory disorders.”

For decades, Eisai has led the way in dementia research and development through scientific discovery, listening to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, exploring solutions outside of traditional medicinal therapies, and collaboration agreements, such as the one with Hackensack Meridian Health.

“We recognize the importance of collaborating with organizations so we can effectively improve resources and services that aim to advance brain health within our community, especially among patients and their families, caregivers and the general public,” added Dr. Thomas.

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