Leqembi® Receives Approval in Australia for Early Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
On September 24, 2025, BioArctic AB made a landmark announcement as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia approved lecanemab (branded as Leqembi) for treating adults with early Alzheimer's disease. This approval is specifically for patients exhibiting mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who do not carry the apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) gene or are heterozygotes, provided they show confirmed amyloid pathology in their brain scans.
This decision is particularly noteworthy because, in February 2025, the TGA had declined to approve lecanemab. Following that decision, Eisai, which shares a strategic partnership with BioArctic, sought a review from the Administrative Review Tribunal. The discussions spurred a reconsideration, culminating in the current approval.
Leqembi’s origins trace back to a successful collaboration between BioArctic and Eisai, with BioArctic developing the monoclonal antibody. The project was initially inspired by Professor Lars Lannfelt's discovery of the Arctic mutation associated with Alzheimer's disease. Eisai plays a crucial role in the clinical development, market application, and commercialization of Leqembi, especially focused on markets outside the Nordic region where BioArctic holds commercialization rights. Both firms are gearing up for co-promotion efforts in the Nordics, expanding the availability of antibody treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
The approval of Leqembi in Australia adds to its growing list of endorsements worldwide, as it is now authorized in about 50 countries including the United States, Japan, China, and across the European Union. It is particularly geared towards early Alzheimer's disease, targeting patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia—a demographic that often sees limited options for treatment.
Since July 2020, BioArctic and Eisai have actively collaborated on the large-scale Phase 3 clinical study named AHEAD 3-45, aimed at individuals with preclinical Alzheimer’s. With the study recruitment completed by October 2024, data collection is now underway to assess Leqembi’s efficacy on preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms in high-risk subjects.
Moreover, the Tau NexGen clinical study, which scrutinizes treatments for dominantly inherited Alzheimer's (DIAD), is also utilizing lecanemab in its treatment regimen, reinforcing its role as a leading therapy in Alzheimer's research.
This partnership reflects BioArctic's long-term ambition to break ground in the realm of Alzheimer’s treatments. Since its inception in 2005, this collaboration stands as a testament to innovation in biotechnology, focusing on creating impactful treatments that could potentially halt the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
In addition to Leqembi, BioArctic boasts a robust pipeline that includes therapeutic antibodies for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and ALS, illustrating a commitment to tackling a range of neurodegenerative disorders. The company is leveraging its unique BrainTransporter™ technology, which shows promise in enhancing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier—an essential aspect of treatment delivery in CNS conditions.
BioArctic AB, whose shares (BIOA B) are publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm, continues to strive for advancements in medication that could significantly benefit those affected by Alzheimer's and related ailments. For further details, stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the Therapeutic Goods Administration's website or explore BioArctic's updates directly.
In summary, the approval of Leqembi by Australia's TGA heralds a new era for Alzheimer's patients and emphasizes the importance of continued research and collaboration in the healthcare industry. As BioArctic and Eisai advance their marketing strategies in various regions, this partnership is poised to make meaningful contributions to the landscape of Alzheimer's treatment.