US approves new drug for Alzheimer’s patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new drug to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.

The US agency approved the drug Lekambi, also known as lekanemab, days after a congressional report lambasted the agency for green-lighting another drug for treating Alzheimer’s patients, Adugelma.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Lekembe and Adohelm “represent important advances in the ongoing battle to effectively treat Alzheimer’s” as the agency approved the two drugs under a fast track process that allowed the regulator to expedite drug approval for treatment of people. with serious illnesses and in the presence of an existing medical need.

Preliminary data from the Liquimbe trial, published in September, showed the drug slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients by 27% over 18 months.

Source: AFP