A "GAME-CHANGING" drug shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's is set to be approved in the UK. Lecanemab , developed by pharmaceutical company Eisai, is a targeted antibody treatment that binds to amyloid - a protein which builds up in the brains of people living with the disease. 1 A drug to slow down Alzheimer's is set to be approved in the UK Credit: Getty It is designed to help clear the build-up and slow down cognitive decline and is given to patients via an intravenous drip fortnightly.
The decision from the UK's medicines regulator is due to be announced shortly, but it is understood to have approved the treatment. Lecanemab is already licensed in the United States , where it costs about £20,000 per patient per year. It was, however, rejected by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in July.
READ MORE ON ALZHEIMER'S EAT UP The 6 foods that 'reprogram' your gut and slash your risk of diabetes & Alzheimer's NEW FRONTIERS Brain parasites found in cat poo could help TREAT Alzheimer's and Parkinson's The EMA said the benefits of lecanemab did not counterbalance the risk of people suffering serious side effects, such as bleeding and swelling in the brain. It also said the effects of the drug on delaying cognitive decline were small. A similar drug called donanemab , which is developed by Eli Lilly, is also being assessed for approval in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
NHS England estimates between 50,000 and 280,000 patients mig.