Biogen is discontinuing its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm to focus on other treatments, including its blockbuster drug Leqembi, which was developed with Japan's Eisai and approved in 2023. The decision comes after concerns about the risks of Aduhelm outweighing its benefits, leading Medicare to significantly limit coverage of the drug. Despite discontinuing Aduhelm, Biogen aims to build a leading franchise addressing the multiple pathologies of Alzheimer's disease and patient needs.
Biogen has withdrawn its controversial Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm, from the market following criticism and irregularities in the approval process by the US FDA. The drug's accelerated approval was highly contentious, and its high price of $56,000 a year for patients was deemed unjustifiably high. Biogen will focus on its newer Alzheimer's medicine, Leqembi, which was fully approved last year. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than one in nine people over 65.
Biogen has decided to relinquish its ownership rights to the controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm and halt a clinical trial aimed at confirming its effectiveness. The drug, initially priced at $56,000 a year, faced criticism for its approval based on weak evidence and serious safety risks. Biogen's move comes after Aduhelm failed in the marketplace, generating outrage and eroding trust in the regulatory process. The rights to Aduhelm will return to the Swiss company Neurimmune, and Biogen will cease supplying the drug in the United States by November.
Biogen announced it will discontinue the development and marketing of Aduhelm, a controversial Alzheimer's drug that received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2021. The decision comes after an internal review led the company to redirect its resources toward other drug candidates and advancing Leqembi, another Alzheimer’s drug it’s marketing with Eisai. The clinical trials for Aduhelm and Leqembi showed modest benefits for patients and potentially dangerous side effects, leading to limited Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s drugs with accelerated approval.
Biogen will discontinue the sale of its Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm and halt the study needed for full FDA approval, shifting focus to other treatments. The drug, initially anticipated to be a blockbuster, faced challenges with limited evidence of efficacy and insurance coverage restrictions. Biogen will support the sale of another Alzheimer's treatment, Leqembi, which received full FDA approval. The company will incur a charge of about $60 million for shutting down the Aduhelm program, while patients may soon have another treatment option pending FDA review of a potential drug from Eli Lilly and Co.
Biogen is relinquishing its ownership of Aduhelm, the controversial Alzheimer's disease treatment, allowing Neurimmune to regain full rights to the drug. The decision also involves terminating an ongoing clinical trial aimed at demonstrating the treatment's benefits for early-stage Alzheimer's patients. Biogen's CEO emphasized Aduhelm's role in paving the way for new drug development in the field.
Mike Zuendel, a Des Moines man diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, found hope in the new FDA-approved medication, Aduhelm, which slows down and reduces amyloid beta plaque in the brain. Despite the medication not being covered by Medicaid or Medicare, Zuendel and the Alzheimer's Association are advocating for those needing the medication. With 19 infusions, Zuendel is making a miraculous recovery and encourages others not to lose hope and stay on top of research.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has limited coverage of new Alzheimer's drugs, including Aduhelm, due to safety and effectiveness concerns and high costs. CMS will grant full coverage of new Alzheimer's drugs that work similarly to Aduhelm as soon as they receive full FDA approval, but with severe restrictions, including requiring patients to be enrolled in a registry. Two other promising Alzheimer's drugs, Leqembi and donanemab, have received FDA accelerated approval, but access will depend on whether Medicare covers the drugs. Critics say CMS restrictions are unreasonable and could cause lower-income people and rural Americans to miss out.
