The company stated it will redirect its efforts toward other Alzheimer’s treatments.
Biogen has announced it will cease development and sales of its Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm, which had initially been hailed as a groundbreaking drug before facing significant challenges post-launch.
The pharmaceutical company revealed on Wednesday that it will terminate a study crucial for obtaining full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will stop the commercial distribution of Aduhelm.
Patients currently receiving Aduhelm through the market will be able to continue their treatment until November. According to a company representative, approximately 2,500 patients worldwide are using Aduhelm.
Biogen stated it will redirect its efforts toward other Alzheimer’s treatments. Notably, the company is collaborating with Japanese drugmaker Eisai to market another Alzheimer’s treatment, Leqembi, which has already received full FDA approval.
Leqembi is the first drug to convincingly demonstrate a modest slowing of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. It has been approved for use in individuals with mild dementia and early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Aduhelm was the first new Alzheimer’s drug to be introduced in nearly two decades, receiving accelerated FDA approval in 2021. However, the FDA required an additional study to consider full approval.
Initially priced at $56,000 annually, Aduhelm was expected to be a blockbuster, with analysts predicting it would generate billions in revenue for Biogen. However, weak evidence regarding its effectiveness in slowing Alzheimer’s led to hesitation among doctors in prescribing the drug. Insurance companies restricted coverage, and the federal Medicare program imposed stringent limitations on access.
These challenges were particularly significant for Biogen because the majority of U.S. Alzheimer’s patients are over 65 and thus eligible for Medicare. As a result, Aduhelm generated millions, rather than billions, in quarterly sales, leading Biogen to scale back its marketing efforts in 2022.
Last year, Biogen sought external financing or partners to support Aduhelm, but the search was unsuccessful. This decision was part of a broader review of the company’s research and development strategy.
During this review, Biogen considered the time and investment required for the additional study, as well as potential advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment, before Aduhelm could receive full approval.
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About Companion Home Care Inc:
Companion Home Care is a senior home health care, adults with disabilities care, and hospice care provider in Roanoke, VA. Our motto is to provide a "better class of companions for a better quality of life". We accomplish this by hiring the best, most qualified caregivers, and using our knowledge and experience to craft a personalized home care plan for our clients, then match clients with the perfect caregiver based on client needs, personality, and skills required.
Our caregivers help seniors cope with Alzheimer's, dementia, and illnesses, and enjoy healthy and happy lives from the comfort of their own homes. In addition to senior home health care, we also provide Roanoke home care for adults with disabilities, traumatic brain injury and diseases, physical injuries, and special needs in Roanoke, Salem, Lynchburg, Vinton, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Bedford, and surrounding areas of southwest Virginia.
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210 E 7th St
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Companion Home Care Inc
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Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 981-2255
