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Rolling sBLA initiated to the U.S. FDA for Leqembi® Iqlik™ (lecanemab-irmb) as a subcutaneous starting dose for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease under Fast Track status
Prnewswire· 2025-09-03 03:01
Core Insights - BioArctic AB's partner Eisai has initiated a rolling submission of the Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. FDA for Leqembi Iqlik (lecanemab-irmb) as a subcutaneous autoinjector, following the FDA granting Fast Track Status [1][15] - Leqembi Iqlik, if approved, would be the first anti-amyloid treatment allowing at-home injection from the start, enhancing treatment accessibility for Alzheimer's disease patients [1][2] Company Overview - BioArctic AB is a Swedish biopharma company focused on innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, having developed Leqembi, the first drug proven to slow Alzheimer's disease progression [11] - The collaboration between BioArctic and Eisai dates back to 2005, with Eisai responsible for clinical development and commercialization, while BioArctic retains rights for commercialization in the Nordic region [4][10] Product Details - Leqembi is indicated for treating Alzheimer's disease in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild dementia, and is currently approved in 48 countries, with regulatory reviews ongoing in 10 countries [2][7] - The sBLA submission is based on Phase 3 clinical studies evaluating subcutaneous administration of lecanemab, which could offer a weekly starting dose as an alternative to bi-weekly intravenous dosing [2][3] Clinical Development - Eisai's ongoing Phase 3 clinical study (AHEAD 3-45) involves individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease and aims to assess the efficacy of lecanemab [9] - The Tau NexGen clinical study for Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Disease (DIAD) is also ongoing, incorporating lecanemab as a key anti-amyloid therapy [9] Treatment Mechanism - Leqembi targets both amyloid plaque and protofibrils, which are believed to contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease [3][14] - The subcutaneous formulation of Leqembi has the potential to reduce healthcare resource utilization associated with intravenous dosing, streamlining the treatment pathway for Alzheimer's disease [2]
Biogen Secures FDA Nod for Subcutaneous Maintenance Dosing of Leqembi
ZACKS· 2025-09-01 15:36
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]