Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. have announced significant progress in their efforts to provide more convenient maintenance dosing options for LEQEMBI (lecanemab-irmb), a treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Eisai has initiated a rolling submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a subcutaneous autoinjector formulation of LEQEMBI, intended for weekly maintenance dosing. This submission follows the FDA's granting of Fast Track designation for this formulation. In addition, Eisai has completed the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the FDA for monthly intravenous (IV) maintenance dosing of LEQEMBI.
The subcutaneous formulation offers the potential for easier administration and increased patient convenience compared to the current IV infusion. The rolling submission allows Eisai to submit sections of the application as they are completed, potentially expediting the review process. The Fast Track designation further supports this accelerated timeline, reflecting the FDA's recognition of the unmet need for effective Alzheimer's treatments.
The sBLA for monthly IV maintenance dosing provides another option for patients and healthcare providers. This aims to reduce the frequency of infusions, potentially improving patient adherence and reducing healthcare costs. LEQEMBI is currently indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease.
In addition to advancements in Alzheimer's treatment, Eisai Inc. announced the initiation of screening for Study E2086-A001-101 (Study 101) to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of E2086, a novel selective orexin-2 receptor agonist, in patients with narcolepsy. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT06462404, and study sites are planned for both the United States and Canada.
