Prognosis
Alzheimer’s Drug From Eisai, Biogen Gets FDA Accelerated Approval
- Treatment to cost $26,500 for a year’s supply, Eisai says
- Accelerated FDA approval based on amyloid reduction results
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Eisai Co. and its partner Biogen Inc. gained initial US regulatory clearance for lecanemab, the first treatment clearly shown to slow the advance of brain-wasting Alzheimer’s disease.
The drug, to be sold under the brand name Leqembi, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration under an accelerated pathway. While the partners have to submit more data to gain full approval, the decision immediately expands treatment options for the millions of patients living with the debilitating condition. The drug will cost $26,500 a year for a person of average weight, according to Eisai.