"Slows cognitive decline by 27%" US approves new Alzheimer's drug.

A new drug that slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease has received formal approval from the U.S. health authorities. Unlike existing drugs that temporarily alleviate symptoms, this is the first treatment that has proven to suppress the disease itself. Especially as it can be applied to the U.S. public health insurance (Medicare), it is expected to bring good news to early-stage Alzheimer's patients.

Vials and packaging for their medication Leqembi. provided by AP

According to AP, CNN, and the New York Times (NYT) on the 6th (local time), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally approved 'Lecanemab' (generic name: lecanemab), an Alzheimer's treatment jointly developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai and Biogen. Earlier, researchers had reported that Lecanemab showed an effect in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease, a brain disorder that causes dementia.

In actual clinical trials, Lecanemab showed efficacy in slowing the decline in patients' cognitive functions by 27%. The result was obtained from a study conducted over 18 months involving 1,795 patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a disorder in which cognitive abilities such as memory and language skills are weakened due to the excessive accumulation of a small protein called 'beta-amyloid' in the brain. Administered via intravenous injection every two weeks, Lecanemab showed an effect in removing beta-amyloid, according to the researchers.

However, the limitations are clear. Lecanemab was found to be effective only in 'mild' patients. Columbia University Irving Medical Center estimates that about 17% of the 6 million patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the United States are mild patients. There are also concerns about side effects. About 13% of the patients participating in the clinical trials experienced brain swelling, and 17% showed symptoms of minor cerebral hemorrhage.

Nonetheless, the news of this approval can only be welcome to early-stage Alzheimer's patients and their families. This is because it becomes eligible for Medicare coverage. The annual cost of Lecanemab is as much as $26,500 (approximately 31,000,000 KRW). Of this, Medicare is expected to cover 80%. The NYT explained, "However, out-of-pocket costs including regular hospital visits for intravenous injections and brain imaging will not be insignificant."