The FDA Approved The New Anti-Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi. What You Need To Know

The FDA’s decision to grant accelerated approval for the anti-Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab, which will be sold as Leqembi, has significant potential for research into treatment of the disease. But people living with Alzheimer’s and their families will face difficult choices once the drug is made available later this month by Biogen
BIIB
and the Japanese firm Eisai.

A trial found the drug slowed the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no evidence that it helps people with moderate- or late-stage Alzheimer’s or that it benefits people living with any other form of dementia or even some forms of Alzheimer’s. It cannot reverse brain damage, memory loss, or other symptoms. It is not a cure and it is unclear how long any benefit will last.