#Sweden #Stockholm #Eisai #Leqembi #BioArctic

New Insights from CTAD 2025 on Lecanemab's Impact on Alzheimer's Disease

Recent data presented at the 18th Clinical Trials in Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) conference in San Diego has shown that ongoing treatment with Lecanemab (Leqembi®) offers a remarkable potential to delay the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by as much as 8.3 years. This new finding was shared by BioArctic's partner, Eisai, and emphasizes the importance of early intervention in managing Alzheimer’s disease.

Key Findings and Implications

The conference, held from December 1-4, showcased the effects of continued treatment for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) progressing to moderate AD. Specifically, it highlighted how those in the low-amyloid category, who started treatment at an early stage, experienced significantly slower disease progression. With Lecanemab, participants could extend the period before transitioning from MCI to moderate AD, demonstrating clear advantages in cognitive capabilities over time.

Time Savings from Treatment

The analysis tracked patients in the untreated group and those receiving continued Leqembi therapy, revealing startling time-savings:

• - From MCI to Mild AD: Patients on treatment took approximately 9.7 years to progress, compared to just 7.2 years for untreated patients, indicating a 2.5-year delay.
• - From MCI to Moderate AD: The untreated group experienced progression to moderate AD within 10.1 years, while those on Leqembi saw this delayed to 13.6 years, a savings of 3.5 years. In the low-amyloid group, the findings were even more impressive, with delays of up to 8.3 years noted.

This evidence underscores the critical role early treatment with Lecanemab plays in managing disease progression effectively, enhancing patient quality of life significantly.

The New Subcutaneous Formulation

Following the positive data, a symposium focused on the recent approval of a subcutaneous formulation of Lecanemab, designed to provide easier administration. This form was shown to be bioequivalent to the intravenous version, ensuring patients receive the same therapeutic benefits with potentially fewer side effects. Data also indicated a significantly lower frequency of systemic infusion reactions, which can often be a barrier to patient compliance.

The subcutaneous formulation, approved for maintenance use in August 2025, represents a crucial step in improving patient care and convenience. Additionally, it dashed the fears of possible adverse effects related to this new method of administration, proving safe and effective across various patient demographics.

Future Directions for Alzheimer's Treatment

As BioArctic and Eisai continue their collaboration in the drug's development, anticipation builds over further potential applications for Lecanemab. With ongoing regulatory reviews in the U.S. and Japan, the hope of widening access to this life-altering treatment is on the horizon. Furthermore, as trials evolve, the focus remains on understanding the long-term benefits of Lecanemab, particularly through studies like AHEAD 3-45, which targets individuals at risk due to genetic predispositions to AD.

In summary, the results from CTAD 2025 pave the way for exciting advancements in Alzheimer's treatment strategies, marking a significant milestone in the fight against this debilitating disease. Preparing for commercialization in the Nordic regions and anticipating robust global interest, Lecanemab is set to reshape the landscape of Alzheimer's disease management for years to come.