Lecanemab presentations tee up key fall readout

The anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) protofibril antibody lecanemab is not just a potentially crucial medicine for Alzheimer’s patients and for drug companies Eisai (TYO: 4523), Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) and BioArctic (STO: BIOA-B).

It is also one of the last great hopes for the amyloid beta (Aβ) hypothesis. Many researchers have theorized that Alzheimer’s is caused by the build-up of Aβ plaques in the brain, prompting a wave of drug development based on the theory.

"There is a great enthusiasm in the Alzheimer field for lecanemab and the other late-stage second generation anti-amyloid antibodies with Phase III readouts in the coming months"But the failure of a number of these drugs - including the on-market downfall of Aduhelm (aducanumab) - to show real impact on patients has led to increasing doubts about the field.