Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s disease drug

Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s disease drug lecanemab slowed cognitive decline in a phase 3 trial by 27% versus placebo, teeing the companies up for a potential accelerated approval decision from the FDA this January.

The surprising success once again casts the spotlight on the amyloid hypothesis for treating the neurodegenerative disease. Biogen and Eisai’s clinical results could also be positive news for Eli Lilly and Roche, which are both developing their own treatments that target the buildup of amyloid beta plaques in the brain.

And while the surges in Eisai and Biogen’s respective stock prices reflect overwhelming excitement among investors, an Editor’s Corner by Fierce Pharma’s Angus Liu says the companies may still need to meet CMS halfway when it comes to winning proper reimbursement coverage for lecanemab—based on the drug’s current clinical data, plus the fresh memories of Aduhelm. - Conor Hale