Fireside Chat: Kara Brotemarkle

Kara Brotemarkle joined Tracy Batchelor MD for a conversation about what has to happen around an Alzheimer's therapy for it to deliver its full value.

Brotemarkle used the large number of people living with Alzheimer's disease who are never formally diagnosed to explain Genentech's focus on innovation beyond the molecule. Better therapies must be paired with better diagnostic pathways and easier ways for eligible patients to enter care.

Formulation matters too. Brotemarkle pointed to multiple sclerosis, where shorter subcutaneous administration can reduce time spent in infusion centers, lessen caregiver burden and free clinical capacity. Batchelor extended the discussion to the scientific challenge of getting large molecules across the blood-brain barrier, an issue with implications well beyond Alzheimer's disease.

The same systems question is now emerging around blood-based biomarkers. Easier testing will only help if reimbursement, interpretation and referral pathways evolve with it. The technology is one part of the solution. The care pathway has to be ready for what the technology finds