 It was approved yesterday by the FDA after outside experts said the benefit of the drug outweighed its risks. The drug is designed to clear the brain of an Alzheimer's-related protein called beta-amyloid. In a late-state trial, the drug slowed the progression of memory problems by 29% compared with a placebo. Lilly is charging about $700 a vial for the drug or $32,000 for a 12-month treatment.