Biogen Secures FDA Nod for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dosing of Leqembi

Core Insights - Biogen has received FDA approval for a subcutaneous autoinjector version of Leqembi, named Leqembi Iqlik, which will serve as a weekly maintenance dosing option for early Alzheimer's disease treatment [1][9] - Patients can transition to Leqembi Iqlik after completing an 18-month course of biweekly infusions or choose a monthly intravenous dosing regimen that was previously approved [2] - The new subcutaneous version significantly reduces administration time from nearly one hour for IV infusions to about 15 seconds, allowing for at-home use [3][9] - Clinical studies support that the weekly maintenance dosing with Leqembi Iqlik maintains clinical and biomarker benefits similar to continued IV dosing, with a commercial launch planned for October 6, 2025 [4] - Leqembi was initially approved in 2023 for biweekly dosing in early Alzheimer's patients, with a similar approval in the European Union in April [5] Company Collaboration - Biogen developed Leqembi in collaboration with Eisai, which leads clinical development and regulatory submissions, while both companies co-commercialize the drug [6] Market Performance - Biogen's stock has underperformed compared to the industry year to date [7] - Leqembi sales showed significant growth, with Eisai reporting nearly $160 million in global revenues in Q2 2025, up from $96 million in the previous quarter, indicating strong market potential [10] Competitive Landscape - Currently, the FDA has approved two drugs for Alzheimer's disease: Leqembi and Kisunla, developed by Eli Lilly, both targeting early symptomatic Alzheimer's [11][12] - Kisunla has also seen rapid uptake, with sales increasing from $21.5 million to $48.6 million in the second quarter, reflecting a positive launch trajectory [13]