New Alzheimer's treatment approved by US FDA

Drug 'donanemab' will be sold under brand name 'Kisunla' for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new Alzheimer's treatment from American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the drugmaker said on Tuesday.

The drug donanemab will be sold under the brand name Kisunla for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, which includes people with mild cognitive impairment as well as people with the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's disease, with confirmed amyloid pathology, said the company in a news release.

Once-monthly Kisunla is the first and only amyloid plaque-targeting therapy with evidence to support stopping therapy when amyloid plaques are removed, which can result in lower treatment costs and fewer infusions, the company noted.

"Kisunla demonstrated very meaningful results for people with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, who urgently need effective treatment options," said Anne White, executive vice president and president of Lilly Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company, in the news release.

Amyloid is a protein produced naturally in the body that can clump together to create amyloid plaques. The excessive buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain may lead to memory and thinking issues associated with Alzheimer's disease. Kisunla can help the body remove the excessive buildup of amyloid plaques and slow the decline that may diminish people's ability to remember new information, important dates, and appointments; plan and organize; make meals; use household appliances; manage finances; and be left alone, according to the company.

The company said the total cost of Kisunla will vary by patient based on when they complete treatment. The drug will cost up to 32,000 US dollars for 12 months of treatment, or 48,696 dollars for 18 months of treatment.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research, an estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today, and the number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060.