Health Canada has given the green light to a medication that has demonstrated effectiveness in decelerating the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab is the inaugural drug in Canada designed to address the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain, a suspected root cause of Alzheimer’s. This lab-produced antibody binds to amyloid proteins, aiding in their neutralization and removal from the brain. The administration of Lecanemab is recommended during the initial stages of dementia when mild cognitive impairment is present.

Adam Morrison, a representative of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, mentioned the anticipation among patients and their families for the approval of Lecanemab, also known as Leqembi, in Canada. Advocates from Alzheimer societies are calling on Health Canada and provincial governments to swiftly introduce the drug to the market and provide public funding to ensure affordability for all eligible patients, as it costs approximately $26,000 US annually in other nations. Lecanemab, which requires intravenous administration every two weeks, is positioned as a treatment rather than a cure.

MRI scans are essential to monitor potential side effects of Lecanemab. Dr. Andrew Frank, a cognitive neurologist and medical director of the Bruyere Memory Program in Ottawa, highlighted that brain swelling or bleeding are possible adverse reactions, typically detectable on MRI scans without causing symptoms. Frank emphasized the importance of accessibility to these medications for Canadians to evaluate the risk-benefit balance with their families and physicians.

The manufacturer, Eisai Co., Ltd., disclosed that Lecanemab has received approval in approximately 50 countries and was granted authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023 following a global Phase 3 clinical trial. The company intends to continue submitting real-world clinical assessment data gathered from participants.