New Hope for Alzheimer's Patients: Leqembi Approved in Hong Kong

Leqembi Gains Approval in Hong Kong

On July 11, 2024, Hong Kong's Department of Health approved Leqembi (generic name: lecanemab) for treating Alzheimer's disease. This makes Hong Kong the fifth region to approve the treatment, following the US, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Leqembi is designed for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's, specifically those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. This approval is significant given Hong Kong's aging population, where 9.3% of individuals aged 70 and older, and 32% of those aged 85 and older, suffer from dementia.

How Leqembi Works

Leqembi targets amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins in the brain, which are believed to contribute to Alzheimer's disease. It binds to both soluble and insoluble Aβ aggregates, helping to reduce the formation of plaques that damage brain cells.

Clinical trials have shown Leqembi can slow the progression of Alzheimer's and improve cognitive function in patients. The Phase 3 Clarity AD study revealed that Leqembi met its primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating significant effectiveness.

The Significance of Leqembi

Leqembi's approval marks a milestone in Alzheimer's treatment. For the first time, there is a drug proven to slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage patients. This offers new hope to many affected by this debilitating disease.

The drug resulted from a partnership between BioArctic and Eisai, with BioArctic providing the initial research and Eisai handling the clinical development and market approval.

Future Plans for Leqembi

Aside from Hong Kong, Eisai and BioArctic are seeking approval for Leqembi in other regions, including the European Union. They are also developing more convenient forms of the drug, such as a subcutaneous injection, to make treatment easier for patients.

Recently, Eisai submitted additional applications for maintenance dosing options in the United States, highlighting their commitment to advancing Alzheimer's treatment globally.

Current Research and Ongoing Studies

Research into Alzheimer's continues in efforts to find even more effective treatments. Eisai's ongoing Phase 3 study, AHEAD 3-45, focuses on patients with early signs of the disease. Another study, Tau NexGen, examines the effects of Leqembi in individuals with genetically predisposed Alzheimer's.

These studies aim to provide deeper insights into how Alzheimer's develops and how best to intervene in its progression.