Shares of Biogen and other drugmakers researching Alzheimer’s disease soared early Wednesday after Japan’s
The drugmaker said early results showed that its treatment, lecanemab, reduced patient clinical decline by 27% when compared to a placebo or fake drug after 18 months of the infused treatment.
Patients were monitored using a scale that measures mental decline and their ability to do daily activities like getting dressed or feeding oneself.
The company is already seeking an accelerated approval from the
Researchers typically urge caution in evaluating a study until the full results are released. But the initial findings appear to be “quite robust” and will likely support regulatory approval,
A statement from the Alzheimer’s Association called the findings the most encouraging to date for potential treatments of the underlying disease causes.
Some 6 million people in the
Alzheimer’s has no known cure. Long-standing treatments on the market just manage symptoms, and researchers don’t fully understand what causes the disease.
Last year, Biogen’s Aduhelm became the first new Alzheimer’s drug introduced in nearly two decades. But it has largely flopped after debuting with a price tag of
Doctors have been hesitant to prescribe it, given weak evidence that the drug slows the progression of Alzheimer’s. Insurers have blocked or restricted coverage due to concerns over the drug’s high price tag and uncertain benefit.
Earlier this year, the federal Medicare program imposed strict limits on who can get the drug, wiping out most of its potential U.S. market. Biogen announced afterward that it would stop most of its spending on the treatment.
Like Aduhelm, lecanemab, which
The protein forms a plaque that researchers believe is a contributor to Alzheimer's. They also point to other potential factors like family history and chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Shares of
Shares of
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