E.U. Agrees on Landmark Artificial Intelligence Rules

Dec 9, 2023 ·

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new drug called Leqembi to treat Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia and other cognitive impairments in older adults. The drug is now covered by Medicare and other insurance providers.

Leqembi is a small molecule inhibitor designed to block an enzyme involved in the formation of plaques that damage the brain in Alzheimer's patients. It is made from natural ingredients and is taken once a day as a pill. The FDA approval was based on a number of studies showing that the drug can reduce symptoms, including memory loss and confusion.

Leqembi has been tested in several clinical trials involving more than 1,500 people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's. Results showed that those taking the drug had improved scores on tests measuring memory, cognitive function, and behavior compared to those taking a placebo. In addition, patients taking Leqembi experienced fewer side effects than those taking other treatments.

The approval of Leqembi marks an important milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Experts say it is the first truly effective treatment for the disease, which affects around 5 million people in the United States alone. It is hoped that the drug could provide millions of people with relief from the debilitating symptoms of the condition.

Leqembi was developed by the biotechnology company Amgen and will be available under the brand name Lecombe. It is expected to cost approximately $5,000 a year for a single dose. Medicare and other insurers have already begun covering the drug, but it is still too early to know how long it will take for patients to begin receiving the medication.

For many Alzheimer’s patients and their families, the approval of Leqembi brings much-needed hope. While the drug is not a cure, it is the first step on the road to better treatments and possibly a cure for this devastating disease.