Biogen will no longer market its Alzheimer’s medication. Aduhelm
Aduhelm, an Alzheimer’s medication that treats Alzheimer’s disease that was previously anticipated to be a big hit but faltered after release a few years ago, will no longer be sold by Biogen. The pharmaceutical company also announced on Wednesday that it will conclude research on the medication required in order to receive full FDA approval.
Patients may continue taking Aduhelm doses that are available on the commercial market through November. Aduhelm is being taken by roughly 2,500 people globally, according to a business spokeswoman. According to Biogen, it will shift its attention to alternative therapies for the debilitating illness. Additionally, the business assists the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai in marketing Leqembi, an Alzheimer’s medication that was fully approved by the FDA last summer.
Also read-Navigating The ADHD Drug Shortage: Understanding Impacts And Seeking
Alzheimer’s Medication
Leqembi is the first medicine that’s been convincingly shown to slow the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease, though only modestly. Regulators have approved it for patients with mild dementia and other symptoms caused by early Alzheimer’s. When Aduhelm debuted in 2021, it was the first new Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades. The FDA had granted accelerated approval but required the additional study for full approval, which can spur broader insurance coverage. Aduhelm promised to slow the progression of the disease instead of just managing its symptoms, like other drugs on the market.
Alzheimer’s Medication
When it was first priced at $56,000 annually, analysts projected it would become a blockbuster very soon, bringing in billions of dollars for Biogen. Anticipating a surge in Aduhelm claims, the federal government’s Medicare program increased the fee it costs for coverage. However, due to scant proof that the intravenous medication significantly enhanced the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients, physicians were reluctant to recommend it. Coverage was restricted or banned by insurers. Medicare placed severe restrictions on who might receive it before reducing its premium increase.
Alzheimer’s Medication
That proved especially challenging for Biogen. Most U.S. Alzheimer’s patients are old enough to qualify for the federal program, which covers patients age 65 and older. The drug wound up generating millions, not billions, in quarterly sales. Biogen announced in 2022 that it would largely shut down marketing of Aduhelm. Last year, Biogen started an unsuccessful search for outside financing or partners to help with Aduhelm. That was done as part of a review the company did of its research and development program. Biogen said it had considered during that review the time and investment that would be required for that additional study and likely advancements in the field before Aduhelm received full approval.
Alzheimer’s Medication
Patients may soon have more therapy options available to them in addition to Leqembi. Currently, the FDA is looking at a possible medication developed by Eli Lilly and Co. This year, a decision is anticipated early. Biogen announced that the termination of the Aduhelm program will result in a charge to its books in the fourth quarter of roughly $60 million. In late morning trade, Biogen Inc.’s shares, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, rose by $4 to $251.11, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alzheimer’s caused by?
The causes probably include a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ from person to person.
What are the four symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Signs of Mild Alzheimer’s disease
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Poor judgment leads to bad decisions.
- Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative.
- Losing track of dates or knowing the current location.
- Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks.
- Repeating questions or forgetting recently learned information.
Also read-Rise In Breast Cancers In Younger Women: Is The Rise In Breast Cancers In Younger Women
images source: Google
Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this article are solely those of the individual analysts. These are not the opinions of HNN. For more, please consult with your doctor
