July 6, 2023 – The FDA immediately permitted a brand new remedy for early Alzheimer’s illness that seems to modestly sluggish the illness’s horrible development.
The drug, Leqembi from drug maker Biogen, targets amyloid plaques in sufferers’ brains, a key function of the illness. Examine information reveals it could sluggish Alzheimer’s development by 27% over 18 months.
The drug was granted accelerated approval in January, which permits the FDA to approve medication for circumstances when there’s a outlined want. It’s the first remedy for Alzheimer’s granted full company approval in 20 years. There are dangers of mind bleeding and swelling, the company mentioned.
“As we speak’s motion is the primary verification {that a} drug concentrating on the underlying illness means of Alzheimer’s illness has proven medical profit on this devastating illness,” Teresa Buracchio, appearing director of the Workplace of Neuroscience within the FDA’s Middle for Drug Analysis and Analysis, mentioned in an announcement. “This confirmatory research verified that it’s a secure and efficient therapy for sufferers with Alzheimer’s illness.”
Greater than 6.5 million People have Alzheimer’s, an irreversible mind dysfunction that slowly destroys reminiscence and cognitive expertise.
Medicare mentioned it can cowl the drug, which can value $26,500 annually, however would require a affected person’s physician to take part in a registry that tracks how properly the drug works. Some advocates have known as that an pointless barrier to therapy as not all docs will comply with the registry.
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