Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi Faces Resistance from Skeptical Doctors in the US

Nine months after its launch in the United States, the Alzheimer's drug Leqembi, developed by Eisai and Biogen, is encountering resistance from doctors who are skeptical about its efficacy, hindering its widespread adoption. Despite being the first FDA-approved drug to slow the decline in cognition for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's, Leqembi has struggled to gain traction among healthcare professionals.

Doctors have expressed concerns about the drug's efficacy, with some questioning whether the benefits outweigh the risks. In interviews with Reuters, seven physicians attributed their reluctance to prescribe Leqembi to concerns about its efficacy, cost, and potential side effects. The American Geriatrics Society has recommended caution in the use of Leqembi, citing the drug's marginal benefit and significant risks, such as brain swelling and bleeding.

The slow adoption of Leqembi contrasts with the high expectations for the drug's potential to revolutionize Alzheimer's treatment. Eisai and Biogen had anticipated bottlenecks due to Leqembi's requirements, including additional diagnostic tests, twice-monthly infusions, and regular brain scans to guard against potentially lethal side effects. However, the skepticism among doctors has further contributed to the sluggish rollout of the drug.

Why this matters: The resistance to Leqembi highlights the challenges in developing and introducing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The skepticism among doctors underscores the need for more robust evidence of the drug's efficacy and safety to ensure widespread adoption and improved patient outcomes.

Biogen reported that global first-quarter sales of Leqembi reached about $19 million, nearly triple the previous quarter. The number of patients taking Leqembi has increased nearly 2.5 times the levels at the end of 2023. However, Biogen's CEO acknowledged that the launch has been "extraordinarily difficult," and it will take multiple quarters to have a complete understanding of the drug's performance.

Despite the challenges, Eisai and Biogen remain committed to increasing the adoption of Leqembi. The companies plan to enlarge their sales force by 30% as they aim to reach 100,000 patients by 2026. They are working to address issues such as the lack of access to neurologists and the financial burden of the drug's $26,500 yearly cost, along with the expenses related to regular MRIs and bi-monthly infusions.

The slow adoption of Leqembi serves as a reminder of the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-earnings-04-24-2024/card/alzheimer-s-drug-leqembi-finally-sees-sales-pickup-2TCgQcZyOfjjbVYPZ7NP

Key Takeaways

• Leqembi, an Alzheimer's drug, faces resistance from skeptical doctors about its efficacy.
• Doctors cite concerns about Leqembi's marginal benefits, high costs, and potential side effects.
• Leqembi's slow adoption contrasts with high expectations for revolutionizing Alzheimer's treatment.
• Biogen reports growing Leqembi sales, but CEO acknowledges a difficult launch process.
• Eisai and Biogen aim to increase Leqembi's adoption by expanding their sales force and addressing access issues.