A major milestone has been reached in the fight against Alzheimer's disease: the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Leqembi in late 2024, a treatment designed to slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of the disease.
Developed by Eisai and Biogen, this drug targets amyloid plaques in patients' brains, which are responsible for the progressive destruction of neurons and memory loss. Administered intravenously every two weeks, Leqembi has demonstrated a 27% reduction in cognitive decline in clinical trials compared to a placebo. This decision marks a turning point after an initial refusal by the EMA in July, linked to the risks of serious side effects, such as edema and cerebral hemorrhages. After a re-examination, the EMA considered that the benefits of the treatment outweighed the risks, but only for a limited population of patients less likely to suffer these complications. Already approved in the United States, Japan, China and several other countries, Leqembi represents a glimmer of hope for European patients and their families. However, steps remain to be taken, including final approval by the European Commission and negotiations regarding its reimbursement in France. _VX
https://faxinfo.fr/en/sante-alzheimer-lespoir-dun-declin-ralenti-avec-le-leqembi/
