Lecanemab for Alzheimer's Disease

Lecanemab is a novel drug developed by Sisai and Biogen aimed at treating Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by the misfolding and accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid-beta plaques in the brain, leading to neuronal cell death and brain shrinkage. Lecanemab contains monoclonal antibodies that have a high affinity for soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid-beta peptides. These antibodies bind, neutralize, and eliminate amyloid-beta aggregates to slow Alzheimer’s Disease progression.2 Phase II dose-finding trial for Lecanemab conducted with 854 participants with early Alzheimer’s Disease demonstrated no significant difference between Lecanemab and placebo groups at the 12-month mark. However, a 27% reduction in clinical decline in the Lecanemab group was seen after 18 months compared to the placebo group. Adverse effects of Lecanemab include transient fever and asymptomatic fluid formation in the brain. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and launched in the United States on January 18, 2023. Manufacturing and marketing applications for Lecanemabwere also recently submitted in Europe, Japan, and Canada1 With FDA approval, the drug is currently priced at 26,500 USD per year, with Medicare pledging to cover 80% of the cost.3