Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, was given an accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration on 6 January, based on evidence that it reduced amyloid plaque, a marker for the disease. Known commercially as Leqembi, the drug is only the second antibody treatment to be given a preliminary authorisation to treat the disease, which is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder affecting millions of people. The first was Aduhelm (aducanumab), which also targets amyloid plaque.
