Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a large and growing global health, fiscal and economic challenge, one whose current trajectory promises to destabilize health care systems and economies in both developed and developing nations. Governments in Europe, Asia and North America have committed to making Alzheimer's a global priority, and they have urged industry engagement in their efforts. Action must be taken now to avert this crisis by accelerating the development of new AD diagnostics and therapeutics through action-oriented programs. This conference will convene leading industry, academic, and government stakeholders to discuss how to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025, by coordinating with governmental efforts to build research resources, reengineer our current drug development and evaluation systems, and identify innovative technologies and financing models. The outcome of this meeting will comprise a research agenda that will delineate the pathways needed to effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease by 2025.