Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City made medical history by administering Taiwan's first dose of a revolutionary Alzheimer's drug that targets the underlying causes of the disease rather than merely treating symptoms. The monoclonal antibody donanemab, marketed as Kisunla by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co, was given to an 83-year-old woman in two doses.
Breakthrough Treatment Approach
Kisunla represents a paradigm shift in Alzheimer's treatment, joining Leqembi (lecanemab) as the first new class of therapies to address the root causes of the neurodegenerative disease. Both drugs received approval from Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration earlier in 2025, following US FDA approvals - Leqembi in July 2023 and Kisunla in July 2024.
According to Hu Chaur-jong, dean of Taipei Medical University's College of Medicine and consulting neurologist at Shuang Ho Hospital, many scientists believe Alzheimer's disease is partly caused by the abnormal buildup of amyloid beta protein in the brain. These new treatments help patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's by reducing amyloid plaques in the brain, potentially allowing for improvements in patient condition.
Treatment Protocol and Limitations
Yan Sui-hing, director of Far Eastern Memorial Hospital's dementia center, explained that treatment with these drugs requires 12 to 18 months of administration before amyloid accumulation is significantly reduced. However, he emphasized that the drugs are not a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
"Amyloid levels must be regularly monitored and treatment resumed if levels rise beyond a certain threshold," Yan cautioned. The treatment protocol requires ongoing surveillance to maintain therapeutic benefits.
Patient Eligibility and Market Impact
Taiwan faces a substantial dementia burden, with approximately 350,000 people affected by the condition. Of these patients, 60 to 70 percent are believed to have Alzheimer's disease. However, fewer than 100,000 people are considered eligible for treatment with the new drugs, representing roughly half of the Alzheimer's patient population.
Clinical Considerations
Given their recent introduction to the market, Yan noted that the drugs' long-term effectiveness remains uncertain and side effects still require further evaluation. This cautious approach reflects the medical community's commitment to patient safety while embracing innovative therapeutic options.
The administration of Kisunla marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's neurological care, offering new hope for patients and families affected by Alzheimer's disease while highlighting the ongoing need for comprehensive research into these groundbreaking treatments.
