Japanese drugmaker Eisai and US-based Biogen have been working together on advancing research in the space of Alzheimer’s for nearly a decade. Finally, the FDA, granted the fruits of that labor, Leqembi, its blessing for intravenous use. This marks the first approved treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately this drug and others like it are not a revolution in Alzheimer’s treatment. It is VERY questionable if the modest positive impact is worth the known adverse effects, and many in the healthcare industry (myself included) are concerned that these approvals prey on desperate families willing to pay exorbitant prices for any shred of hope.
“Lecanemab reduced markers of amyloid in early Alzheimer’s disease and resulted in moderately less decline on measures of cognition and function than placebo at 18 months but was associated with adverse events. Longer trials are warranted to determine the efficacy and safety of lecanemab in early Alzheimer’s disease.”
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2212948