There is a welcome level of excitement this week at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given full approval to a new drug — lecanemab (brand name: Leqembi) — that is seen as a disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
"This marks the first full approval of any treatment for Alzheimer’s disease globally, and marks the latest positive step forward for research into therapeutic and diagnosis options," said a news release from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO).
Society CEO Cathy Barrick said she was pleased with the news.
“Helplessness is steadily giving way to hope,” said Barrick.
“While we have always been able to lower our risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease through lifestyle choices, the emergence of safe, effective treatments gives health care providers and families additional options to live well with Alzheimer’s disease—and for the first time ever, to slow progression of the disease itself.”
The FDA accelerated approval is regarded as a sign of confidence in the new treatment, said the ASO news release.
"Today’s traditional approval follows the accelerated approval granted to Leqembi in January of this year, and is a sign of confidence in the treatment’s ability to alter the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease in some individuals at the earliest stages."
“We have had years of advance notice that treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease are coming to Ontario,” Barrick added.
“There is no excuse not to be ready: ready with infusion capacity, diagnostic infrastructure, primary care education. One-in-three adults in Ontario has a close family member living with dementia; they are expecting their government to make available the quality of care their loved ones expect and deserve.”
Leqembi was submitted to Health Canada for review in May 2023; there are currently no treatments for Alzheimer’s disease itself, rather than its underlying symptoms, approved for use in Canada, the release continued.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada said the new treatment has inspired many questions from Canadians and accordingly, it has published an online information page.
