2023-07-10 04:57:02
The first drug to slow down Alzheimer’s receives authorization from the American FDA. An unfortunately extremely high price.
The Japanese manufacturer Eisai and the American Biogen are working together on advanced research for the fight once morest Alzheimer’s disease for almost a decade. Today, finally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of the result of this work, the Leqembi. This is the very first approved treatment capable of slowing the progression of the disease.
First drug to slow Alzheimer’s receives US FDA clearance
The Leqembi had received preliminary authorization last January, allowing it to be used in a limited way. This authorization was also conditional on the fact that the two companies had to carry out a confirmatory study to guarantee the clinical benefits of the treatment.
Although Leqembi does slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, it is not a cure. Instead, this drug comes to curb the underlying biology that allows the progression of Alzheimer’s. This works by reducing the amyloid plaques, or “misfolded” proteins that form in the brain of an affected person.
Leqembi is not the only drug targeting amyloid plaques to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The Aduhelm had also received similar accelerated development clearance in 2021, but this one does not yet have FDA clearance. What really sets Leqembi apart from its competitor is that it not only shows clinical benefits in addition to “simply” reducing the formation of these faulty proteins.
In addition to requiring a medical prescription, taking this medication will require going to the hospital or a specialized center every two weeks. The company, although not solely responsible, recognizes the need to increase the accessibility of the drug. In a public statement, Christopher Viehbacher, CEO of Biongen, said the company’s primary focus today is to work with Eisai to make Leqembi “accessible to eligible patients as soon as possible.”
Unfortunately extremely high price
The very high price of the treatment, $26,500, will unfortunately make it inaccessible to many patients. This also positions it outside of Medicare coverage in the United States. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, only those who are covered by Medicaid should be eligible for participation. Unfortunately, patients will still have to pay 20% of the sum – or regarding $5,300. Experts predict that the total cost of a treatment with Leqembi might be $90,000 per year, when you take injections and lab tests into consideration.
The number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to continue to increase in the years to come. All means are good to reduce the progression of the disease, while waiting, hopefully, to discover a real cure. To be continued !
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