U.S. regulators on Monday approved Biogen Inc's (BIIB.O) aducanumab as the first treatment to address an underlying cause of Alzheimer's dis

U.S. FDA approves Biogen Alzheimer's drug, hailed as 'a big day'

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2021-06-07 16:00:11

U.S. regulators on Monday approved Biogen Inc's (BIIB.O) aducanumab as the first treatment to address an underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease despite controversy over mixed clinical trial results for the drug.

Aducanumab aims to remove sticky deposits of a protein called amyloid beta from the brains of patients in earlier stages of Alzheimer's in order to stave off its ravages, which include memory loss and the ability to care for one's self.

"This is good news for patients with Alzheimer's disease. We've not had a disease modifying therapy approved ever," said Dr. Ronald Petersen, an Alzheimer's disease expert at the Mayo Clinic. However, he cautioned, "This is not a cure. It's hoped that this will slow the progression of the disease."

The Food and Drug Administration said clinical trials for the treatment, to be sold under the brand name Aduhelm, showed a reduction in the plaques that is expected to lead to a reduction in the clinical decline of patients.

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