Two-Year AGÕæÈ˹ٷ½-World Study of LEQEMBI® in the United StatesÌýPresented at Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Eisai presented promising two-year real-world study results for LEQEMBI® in treating early Alzheimer's disease at AAIC 2025. The interim analysis of 178 patients across nine U.S. medical centers showed that 87.4% of patients continued treatment, with 83.6% either remaining stable or showing improvement in their clinical condition.
The study revealed a favorable safety profile with ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) observed in only 12.9% of patients, most cases being asymptomatic. Treatment satisfaction scores were notably high, with physicians rating efficacy and safety at 8.7 out of 10. The study also highlighted the increasing adoption of blood-based biomarkers, with 27.5% of patients diagnosed using this method.
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) ed Eisai hanno presentato risultati promettenti a due anni di uno studio real-world sull'efficacia di LEQEMBI® nel trattamento dell'Alzheimer precoce durante l'AAIC 2025. L'analisi intermedia su 178 pazienti in nove centri medici statunitensi ha mostrato che il 87,4% dei pazienti ha continuato la terapia, con il 83,6% che ha mantenuto stabile o migliorato la propria condizione clinica.
Lo studio ha evidenziato un profilo di sicurezza favorevole, con ARIA (anomalie di imaging correlate alla beta-amiloide) riscontrate solo nel 12,9% dei pazienti, per la maggior parte asintomatici. I punteggi di soddisfazione del trattamento sono stati particolarmente elevati, con i medici che hanno valutato efficacia e sicurezza con un punteggio di 8,7 su 10. Lo studio ha inoltre sottolineato l’aumento dell’utilizzo di biomarcatori ematici, con il 27,5% dei pazienti diagnosticati tramite questo metodo.
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) y Eisai presentaron resultados prometedores de un estudio en condiciones reales a dos años sobre LEQEMBI® para el tratamiento del Alzheimer temprano en la AAIC 2025. El análisis intermedio de 178 pacientes en nueve centros médicos de EE. UU. mostró que el 87,4% de los pacientes continuó con el tratamiento, y el 83,6% se mantuvo estable o mejoró su condición clÃnica.
El estudio reveló un perfil de seguridad favorable, con ARIA (anomalÃas de imagen relacionadas con amiloide) observadas solo en el 12,9% de los pacientes, la mayorÃa asintomáticos. Las puntuaciones de satisfacción con el tratamiento fueron notablemente altas, con los médicos calificando la eficacia y seguridad con un 8,7 de 10. El estudio también destacó la creciente adopción de biomarcadores basados en sangre, con un 27,5% de los pacientes diagnosticados mediante este método.
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB)와 EisaiëŠ� AAIC 2025ì—서 초기 ì•Œì¸ í•˜ì´ë¨¸ë³‘ 치료ë¥� 위한 LEQEMBI®ì� 2ë…„ê°„ ì‹¤ì œ 연구 ê²°ê³¼ë¥� 발표했습니다. ë¯¸êµ ë‚� 9ê°� ì˜ë£Œê¸°ê´€ì� 178ëª� 환ìžì—� 대í•� 중간 ë¶„ì„ì—서 87.4%ê°€ 치료ë¥� 계ì†í–ˆìœ¼ë©�, 83.6%ëŠ� ìž„ìƒ ìƒíƒœê°€ ì•ˆì •ë˜ê±°ë‚� ê°œì„ ë� 것으ë¡� 나타났습니다.
연구µç� ARIA(아밀로ì´ë“� ê´€ë � ì˜ìƒ ì´ìƒ)ê°€ 환ìžì� 12.9%ì—서ë§� 관찰ë˜ì—ˆê³ 대부ë¶� 무ì¦ìƒìœ¼ë¡� ì•ˆì „ì„� 프로파ì¼ì� ìš°ìˆ˜í•¨ì„ ë³´ì—¬ì£¼ì—ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹�. 치료 만족ë� ì 수ë� 매우 높아, ì˜ì‚¬ë“¤ì€ 효능ê³� ì•ˆì „ì„±ì„ 10ì � ë§Œì ì—� 8.7ì �으로 í‰ê°€í–ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹¤. ë˜í•œ 혈액 기반 ë°”ì´ì˜¤ë§ˆì»¤ì˜ 사용ì� ì¦ê°€í•˜ê³ 있ìŒì� 강조하며, 27.5%ì� 환ìžê°€ ì� 방법으로 진단ë˜ì—ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹�.
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) et Eisai ont présenté des résultats prometteurs d'une étude en conditions réelles sur deux ans concernant LEQEMBI® dans le traitement de la maladie d'Alzheimer précoce lors de l'AAIC 2025. L'analyse intermédiaire portant sur 178 patients dans neuf centres médicaux américains a montré que 87,4% des patients ont poursuivi le traitement, et que 83,6% sont restés stables ou ont vu leur état clinique s'améliorer.
L'étude a révélé un profil de sécurité favorable, avec des ARIA (anomalies d'imagerie liées à l'amyloïde) observées chez seulement 12,9% des patients, la plupart étant asymptomatiques. Les scores de satisfaction liés au traitement étaient particulièrement élevés, les médecins évaluant l'efficacité et la sécurité à 8,7 sur 10. L'étude a également souligné l'adoption croissante des biomarqueurs sanguins, avec 27,5% des patients diagnostiqués grâce à cette méthode.
Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) und Eisai präsentierten vielversprechende Ergebnisse einer zweijährigen AGÕæÈ˹ٷ½-World-Studie zu LEQEMBI® bei der Behandlung der frühen Alzheimer-Krankheit auf der AAIC 2025. Die Zwischenanalyse von 178 Patienten in neun medizinischen Zentren in den USA zeigte, dass 87,4% der Patienten die Behandlung fortsetzten und 83,6% entweder stabil blieben oder sich ihre klinische Verfassung verbesserte.
Die Studie zeigte ein günstiges Sicherheitsprofil, wobei ARIA (amyloidbezogene Bildgebungsanomalien) nur bei 12,9% der Patienten auftraten, meist asymptomatisch. Die Zufriedenheitswerte mit der Behandlung waren bemerkenswert hoch, wobei Ärzte die Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit mit 8,7 von 10 bewerteten. Die Studie hob außerdem die zunehmende Nutzung von blutbasierten Biomarkern hervor, wobei 27,5% der Patienten mit dieser Methode diagnostiziert wurden.
- High treatment continuation rate of 87.4% among patients
- 83.6% of patients showed clinical stability or improvement
- Low ARIA incidence rate of 12.9%, mostly asymptomatic
- High satisfaction scores (8.7/10) from physicians for efficacy and safety
- Strong patient stability rates across all APOE4 genotypes
- Treatment discontinuation in 12.6% of patients due to various reasons
- ARIA-related adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 2.8% of patients
- Higher ARIA incidence (20%) in APOE4 homozygous carriers
Insights
AGÕæÈ˹ٷ½-world LEQEMBI data shows strong efficacy and safety profile with 83.6% of patients stable/improved and lower ARIA rates than clinical trials.
This real-world study of 178 early Alzheimer's patients treated with lecanemab (LEQEMBI) delivers remarkably positive results that strengthen the drug's clinical value proposition. The data shows 83.6% of patients either maintained their cognitive status or improved after treatment, with this number rising to 86.7% for patients who received 40+ doses over 18 months. This suggests potential durability of effect with longer treatment.
Particularly noteworthy is the significantly lower incidence of ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) compared to the pivotal Clarity AD trial. AGÕæÈ˹ٷ½-world ARIA-E rates were just 7.9% versus 12.6% in clinical trials, with 85.7% being asymptomatic. For APOE4 homozygotes (highest risk patients), ARIA incidence was 20.0% compared to 45.0% in Clarity AD â€� a dramatic reduction likely reflecting improved monitoring and management protocols in practice.
The treatment discontinuation rate of just 12.6% demonstrates excellent tolerability, with only 2.8% discontinuing due to ARIA. Most importantly, physician satisfaction scores averaged 8.7/10, with particularly strong ratings for cognition (8.1) and daily function (8.1) � the measures that matter most to patients and families.
The adoption of blood-based biomarkers in 27.5% of patients signals a shift toward less invasive diagnostic approaches, potentially expanding the treatable population by removing barriers to amyloid confirmation. This represents the first substantive real-world validation of LEQEMBI's efficacy and safety profile, providing compelling evidence that its benefits translate effectively from controlled trials to clinical practice.
TOKYO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai�) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB, Corporate headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, CEO: Christopher A. Viehbacher, “Biogen�) announced today that the two-year real-world study in the U.S of lecanemab (generic name, product name: LEQEBMI®), an anti-Aβ protofibril* antibody, was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025, held in Toronto, Canada and virtually. Only lecanemab fights AD in two ways � targeting both amyloid plaque and protofibrils*, which can impact tau downstream.
Lecanemab received traditional approval in the U.S. in July 2023 for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease (AD). This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the actual state of real-world clinical treatment with lecanemab at 15 medical centers in the U.S., with a final report scheduled for late in the third quarter of Eisai’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. This presentation serves as an interim report as of July 1, 2025.
Patient Baseline and Actual Treatment Situation
The interim study collected information on 178 people living with early AD from nine US medical centers using a standardized case report format. The disease stage of the patients at baseline was mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD in
The mean duration of lecanemab treatment was 375.4 days (± 182.8 days). The mean time from diagnosis to first treatment was 224.2 days (± 295.4 days) and the mean number of lecanemab treatments was 24.8 (± 11.5). At the time of case reporting,
In this study,
Of the 178 patients, ARIA was observed in 23 (
Impact of APOE4 Status
Of the 178 patients in this study, 12 were excluded with unknown status. Among the remaining 166 patients, 30 (
The incidence of ARIA was
Utilization of Blood-Based Biomarkers (BBMs)
BBMs are being developed in AD to identify brain Aβ pathology and are intended for use in prescreening (triage) and confirmatory diagnosis. Of the 178 patients in this study, 49 patients (
Satisfaction with Lecanemab Treatment
The results of a physician, patient and care partner lecanemab satisfaction survey was presented. The survey was based on questionnaires and interviews with nine U.S. physicians and evaluated treatment from multiple perspectives, including efficacy, safety and quality of life (QOL).
In the physicians� evaluation, the average satisfaction level for the treatment efficacy and safety (out of 10) was 8.7. The scoring criteria included: cognition 8.1, daily function 8.1, behavioral/neuropsychiatric symptoms 7.9 and QOL 8.0. The satisfaction level of the patients as assessed by physicians was 8.8, and that of the care partners was 8.2. These results highlight the favorable evaluation of lecanemab’s efficacy and safety in real-world clinical practice and reinforce its therapeutic value.
Note:
Retrospective real-world studies can be very valuable in providing additional information to complement clinical trial data. However, there may have several limitations to keep in mind:
Potential for Biases
Data Completeness and Consistency
Data may be collected inconsistently since data collection is completed by different people at independent sites.
* Mitigation: Data inconsistency is pursued by providing site access to standardized electronic case-report forms.
Lack of Control Group
Interpretation of data may be limited since real-world studies do not utilize placebo-controlled arms
Confounding Variables
Confounding variables are not controllable, which may impact the relationship between the exposure and outcome.
Eisai serves as the lead for lecanemab’s development and regulatory submissions globally with both companies co-commercializing and co-promoting the product and Eisai having final decision-making authority.
* Protofibrils are thought to be the most toxic Aβ species that contribute to brain damage in AD and play a major role in the cognitive decline of this progressive and devastating disease. Protofibrils can cause neuronal and synaptic damage in the brain, which can subsequently adversely affect cognitive function through multiple mechanisms.1 The mechanism by which this occurs has been reported not only by increasing the formation of insoluble Aβ plaques, but also by directly damaging signaling between neurons and other cells. It is believed that reducing protofibrils may reduce neuronal damage and cognitive impairment, potentially preventing the progression of AD. 2
MEDIA CONTACTS | Ìý |
Eisai Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department TEL: +81 (0)3-3817-5120 Eisai Europe, Ltd. EMEA Communications Department +44 (0) 797 487 9419 [email protected] Eisai Inc. (U.S.) Libby Holman +1-201-753-1945 [email protected] | Biogen Inc. Madeleine Shin +1-781-464-3260 [email protected] |
INVESTOR CONTACTS | Ìý |
Eisai Co., Ltd. Investor Relations Department TEL: +81 (0) 3-3817-5122 | Biogen Inc. Tim Power + 1-781-464-2442 [email protected] |
Notes to Editors
- About lecanemab (generic name, brand name: Leqembi®)
Lecanemab is the result of a strategic research alliance between Eisai and BioArctic. It is a humanized immunoglobulin gamma (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against aggregated soluble (protofibril) and insoluble forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ). Protofibrils are believed to contribute to the brain injury that occurs with AD and are considered to be the most toxic form of Aβ, having a primary role in the cognitive decline associated with this progressive, debilitating condition.1 Protofibrils cause injury to neurons in the brain, which in turn, can negatively impact cognitive function via multiple mechanisms, not only increasing the development of insoluble Aβ plaques but also increasing direct damage to brain cell membranes and the connections that transmit signals between nerve cells or nerve cells and other cells.2 It is believed the reduction of protofibrils may prevent the progression of AD by reducing damage to neurons in the brain and cognitive dysfunction.
Lecanemab has been approved in 46 countries and is under regulatory review in 10 countries. In January 2025, the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for intravenous (IV) maintenance dosing of the treatment was approved in the U.S. After an 18 months initiation phase with once every two weeks of dosing, a transition to the maintenance dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg once every four weeks or continuing 10 mg/kg once every two weeks may be considered. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted Eisai’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for the LEQEMBI subcutaneous autoinjector for weekly maintenance dosing in January 2025 and set a PDUFA action date for August 31, 2025.
Since July 2020, the Phase 3 clinical study (AHEAD 3-45) for individuals with preclinical AD, meaning they are clinically normal and have intermediate or elevated levels of amyloid in their brains, is ongoing. AHEAD 3-45 is conducted as a public-private partnership between the Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium that provides the infrastructure for academic clinical trials in AD and related dementias in the U.S, funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, Eisai and Biogen. Since January 2022, the Tau NexGen clinical study for Dominantly Inherited AD (DIAD), that is conducted by Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU), led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is ongoing and includes lecanemab as the backbone anti-amyloid therapy. - About the Collaboration between Eisai and Biogen for AD
Eisai and Biogen have been collaborating on the joint development and commercialization of AD treatments since 2014. Eisai serves as the lead of lecanemab development and regulatory submissions globally, with both companies co-commercializing and co-promoting the product and Eisai having final decision-making authority. - About the Collaboration between Eisai and BioArctic for AD
Since 2005, Eisai and BioArctic have had a long-term collaboration regarding the development and commercialization of AD treatments. Eisai obtained the global rights to study, develop, manufacture and market lecanemab for the treatment of AD pursuant to an agreement with BioArctic in December 2007. The development and commercialization agreement on the antibody lecanemab back-up was signed in May 2015. - About Eisai Co., Ltd.
Eisai's Corporate Concept is "to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides." Under this Concept (also known as human health care (hhc) Concept), we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.
In addition, we demonstrate our commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working on various activities together with global partners.
For more information about Eisai, please visit (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), and connect with us on , and . The website and social media channels are intended for audiences outside of the UK and Europe. For audiences based in the UK and Europe, please visit and Eisai EMEA . - About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patient’s lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.
The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at . Follow Biogen on social media � , , , .
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This news release contains forward-looking statements, including about the potential clinical effects of lecanemab; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of lecanemab and continued treatment with lecanemab; potential regulatory discussions, submissions and approvals and the timing thereof; the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; the anticipated benefits, risks and potential of Biogen's collaboration arrangements with Eisai; the potential of Biogen's commercial business and pipeline programs, including lecanemab; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,� “anticipate,� “assume,� “believe,� “contemplate,� “continue,� “could,� “estimate,� “expect,� “forecast,� “goal,� “guidance,� “hope,� “intend,� “may,� “objective,� “plan,� “possible,� “potential,� “predict,� “project,� “prospect,� “should,� “target,� “will,� “would,� and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Given their forward-looking nature, these statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may be based on inaccurate assumptions and could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements.
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References
- Amin L, Harris DA. Aβ receptors specifically recognize molecular features displayed by fibril ends and neurotoxic oligomers. Nat Commun. 2021;12:3451. doi:10.1038/s41467-021-23507-z
- Ono K, Tsuji M. Protofibrils of Amyloid-β are Important Targets of a Disease-Modifying Approach for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(3):952. doi: 10.3390/ijms21030952. PMID: 32023927; PMCID: PMC7037706.
