Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects over six million Americans and millions more worldwide. It’s a debilitating condition with no known cure. However, medical advancements have given rise to Leqembi, a drug capable of delaying Alzheimer’s progression by a few months when administered to patients exhibiting mild symptoms.
Leqembi works by clearing a sticky brain protein called amyloid, a key indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite its groundbreaking potential, the drug’s impact is limited and it can cause side effects such as brain swelling and bleeding, requiring regular brain scans to monitor these potential complications.
Despite its promise, Leqembi’s sales have been lackluster since its U.S. market debut. Major hospital systems have taken months to start administering it, and some insurance companies have even rejected coverage. There is also a concern among doctors that some patients may be hesitant to take Leqembi due to its limited impact and potential side effects.
Insurance coverage, or the lack thereof, plays a significant role in the slow adoption of Leqembi. Insurance denials have delayed many patients’ first Leqembi infusion by a few months. In some cases, the drugmaker has agreed to provide the drug for free while patients make co-payments for the infusions.
While Leqembi is a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s, it’s just the beginning of a long journey. Experts believe it will take years to learn how best to use the drug, and more work needs to be done to improve diagnosis. There are also concerns that the delay in disease progression may be too subtle for patients to notice.
Another challenge lies in identifying eligible patients for Leqembi treatment. Many patients may be ineligible for Leqembi because it could conflict with medication they’re already taking to prevent strokes. Moreover, accessing a neurologist who can prescribe the drug can take months.
Over time, treatment access for Leqembi should improve. The FDA is currently reviewing another potential treatment that targets amyloid protein, Eli Lilly and Co.’s donanemab. Additionally, Eisai, the maker of Leqembi, plans to seek approval for an injectable version of Leqembi that would be easier to administer.
Despite the current challenges, the development of Leqembi represents a significant milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s. However, researchers caution that there’s still a long road ahead. It’s not clear what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and many believe that combination treatments will be needed to stop it.
