- The FDA approved a new under-the-skin (subcutaneous) version of Leqembi (lecanemab) for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Patients can now use a 15-second weekly injection after finishing an 18-month IV treatment phase.
- This approach could make Alzheimer’s therapy more convenient, even allowing for at-home use in the future.
- Experts say the new method opens the door for combination therapies, similar to strategies used successfully in cancer care.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new way for patients to take the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, making treatment simpler and potentially more accessible. The new method, called a subcutaneous injection, allows the medication to be given under the skin once a week instead of requiring lengthy intravenous (IV) infusions at clinics or hospitals.
The newly approved version will be sold under the name Leqembi Iqlik and is available after patients complete an 18-month course of IV treatments.
Why This Matters.
According to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), this approval reduces the burden for both patients and caregivers. Instead of spending hours at infusion centers, patients can now use a quick autoinjector, similar to devices used by people managing diabetes.
Dr. Howard Fillit, ADDF’s Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, described the development as a “crucial step toward making Leqembi more accessible”, noting that it could eventually allow patients to skip infusions altogether.
Looking Ahead: At-Home Treatment.
While the current approval is limited to patients who have already received IV doses, drugmakers Eisai and Biogen plan to ask the FDA for permission to start patients directly on injections. If approved, this could lead to a future where Alzheimer’s patients administer treatment at home, without ever needing IV therapy.
Opening the Door to Combination Therapies.
Beyond convenience, experts say the subcutaneous option makes it easier for doctors to explore combination therapies—treatments that target Alzheimer’s from multiple angles, similar to how cancer is treated today.
Currently, more than 70% of Alzheimer’s drugs in development focus on biological pathways other than amyloid, the protein Leqembi targets. By using a simple injection system, doctors may be able to combine different types of therapies tailored to each patient’s needs.
“Alzheimer’s is not a one-target disease,” Dr. Fillit explained. “The future lies in precision combination therapies tailored to each patient.”
About the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, focuses on funding and accelerating treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $370 million to support nearly 800 research programs across 21 countries.
More information: alzdiscovery.org
