The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Responds to Results of Lecanemab Trial
The ASI welcomes the encouraging top-line results of a major trial on the drug lecanemab in slowing down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
Eisai and Biogen announced top-line results of a major trial on lecanemab in slowing down Alzheimer’s disease progress.
Lecanemab was shown to moderately slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease, meeting the trial’s primary endpoint. Lecanemab is an antibody which targets amyloid in the brain.
In light of the findings, Eisai aim to file for regulatory approval in the USA, Japan, and Europe before April 2023. Further data on the trial will be available in November this year at the upcoming Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease conference in the USA.
There are currently an estimated 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland, and by 2045, that number is anticipated to increase to 150,000.
Responding to this promising news, The ASI Research and Policy Manager, Dr Laura O’Philbin, said:
“This announcement is very positive and encouraging following years of failed treatment development attempts. Scientifically, this is a landmark development, and we look forward to understanding more about the potential impact of this treatment in practice when there is a complete picture of the data in November. This is a positive day for the future of dementia and we look forward to continuing to support people affected by dementia in the present.”
Dr Sean Kennelly, Director of Clinical Research Memory Service at Tallaght University Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin, said: “
This is very exciting news, and we are moving into a zone that we have aspired to for some time where we can identify definitive treatments to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. We await specific details on outcomes, but this initial topline information is very promising and brings great encouragement to people across Ireland and indeed the world.”
This exciting International development follows the launch of Dementia Trials Ireland, on Tuesday 27th September. Dementia Trials Ireland is funded by the Health Research Board and will create a national infrastructure to develop, attract and conduct dementia clinical trials across the State.
To participate in all kinds of research, we encourage people with dementia and their families to sign up for TeamUp For Dementia Research. This service is provided by The ASI in collaboration with Dementia Research Network Ireland, which helps people affected by dementia learn about and participate in dementia research across Ireland. Please visit our webpage for further information on The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s research activities.
