FDA advisers say new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab slows cognitive decline

This illustration depicts cells in an Alzheimer’s-affected brain, with abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clumping together to form plaques. Photograph: AP

A panel that advises the Food and Drug Administration agreed that a new drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease was beneficial for slowing cognitive decline, paving the way for full regulatory approval next month.

Earlier this year, the drug, known as lecanemab, was granted partial, or accelerated, approval, but that restricted it to people who could pay $26,500 a year or were enrolled in a clinical trial. Under its current status, it is not available under the public health programs Medicare and Medicaid.