9 months after the U.S. launch of Eisai Restricted ESALY and Biogen Inc’s BIIB Leqembi, the primary drug proven to sluggish Alzheimer’s development, adoption faces hurdles as a result of skepticism amongst some docs.
Initially hopeful, Alzheimer’s specialists anticipated challenges with Leqembi’s necessities, together with frequent infusions and diagnostic checks, resulting in sluggish adoption after FDA approval.
Interviews with 20 neurologists and geriatricians revealed issues about efficacy, prices, and dangers, hampering widespread prescription.
Learn Subsequent: European Medicines Company Delays Approval Determination For Biogen-Eisai Partnered Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab.
Reuters highlighted that seven interviewed docs cited skepticism, whereas six highlighted “therapeutic nihilism” as a big barrier to Leqembi adoption.
Dr. Reisa Sperling likened skepticism to previous fatalistic attitudes towards most cancers therapy. Eisai’s chief administrative officer, Alex Scott, acknowledged skepticism’s affect, citing historic skepticism towards Alzheimer’s analysis.
In trials, Leqembi, focusing on amyloid, confirmed a 27% cognition decline slowdown. Nevertheless, adoption has been sluggish, with solely a fraction of supposed sufferers receiving therapy.
Elements embody lengthy adoption cycles for brand new medicine and issues about Leqembi’s efficacy and prices.
Regardless of FDA approval, lower than half of U.S. neurologists suggest Leqembi, citing restricted affected person profit and important dangers.
Dr. Michael Greicius doubts Leqembi’s significant affected person advantages, given slim trial variations, Reuter writes. Dr. Eric Widera and Donna Fick warning concerning the drug’s dangers and unclear advantages.
Some physicians have expressed worries relating to the potential for mind swelling and bleeding linked to Leqembi.
They’ve additionally highlighted issues concerning the monetary burden imposed by the drug’s $26,500 yearly value, together with the bills associated to common MRIs and bi-monthly infusions.
Reuters notes that of the ten,000 People the businesses hoped to deal with by the top of March, Eisai introduced that solely a pair thousand had begun therapy as of January.
Biogen and Eisai intend to extend their gross sales pressure by 30%, aiming for 100,000 sufferers by 2026.
In its first-quarter earnings launch, Biogen mentioned Leqembi launch uptake accelerated with first-quarter international in-market gross sales of roughly $19 million, practically triple the fourth quarter of 2023, and sufferers on remedy rising practically 2.5 instances because the finish of 2023.
Learn Subsequent: Biogen Offers Up On Aduhelm Efforts After Two Years Of Controversial FDA Accelerated Approval For Alzheimer’s, Shifts Focus On Newer Medicines.
Value Motion: BIIB shares are up 3.36% at $199.68 on the final verify Wednesday.
Disclaimer: This content material was partially produced with the assistance of AI instruments and was reviewed and revealed by Benzinga editors.
Photograph by Gerd Altmann by way of Pixabay
