On July 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the new Alzheimer’s disease drug lecanemab (brand name Leqembi). The medication was granted accelerated approval in January.
With the landmark decision, University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine, has an expert available to interview, as well as a quote:
Available:
- Judith Heidebrink, M.D. – Neurologist and Clinical Core Co-Lead of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
- Dr. Heidebrink has been involved in collaborative clinical trials in dementia for over 20 years, including phase I-III studies focusing on the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia. In addition, she has led the University of Michigan’s participation in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative since the inception of this longitudinal observational study of brain imaging and other biomarkers in the progression from normal aging to dementia.
- Quote:
- “The full FDA approval of lecanemab is a remarkable milestone in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. We now have a disease-modifying therapy approved based on its clinical benefit. While not a cure, lecanemab allows people with early symptoms to stay independent longer. That’s what our patients really value — staying independent. Serious side effects can occur, and the risk of side effects is greater in certain individuals. So, it will be important to have a careful discussion of the risks and benefits before considering treatment with lecanemab.”
If Dr. Heidebrink is not available at the time you request, we have other experts from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center who can also be interviewed.
I am happy to coordinate – thank you!
