Why Did Biogen Abandon Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug?

The drug Aduhelm was granted accelerated approval in 2021 to treat alzheimer’s disease. However with an initial pricetag of $56,000 annually ( Later reduced to $28,200 after pushback ) seems to have ‘flopped’ in the money-making department. Many insurers including Medicare were hesitant to cover the drug, citing its true effectiveness. Rights to the drug Aduhelm will revert to the original creator and owner, Swiss company Neurimmune, while Biogen will take a $60 million one-time charge. Ouch!

New Blood Test that screens for Alzheimer’s May Be Great - Or Not

A new, simple blood test was found to be up to 96% accurate in identifying elevated levels of beta amyloid and up to 97% accurate in identifying tau, both key biomarkers of Alzheimer’s  disease, according to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Neurology.

Photo courtesy of jjprojects

BUT WAIT !

Alzheimer’s researchers and clinicians aren’t convinced, citing one test, Quest Diagnostics blood test, AD-Detect, is not backed by sound scientific research. The possibility of false-positive results is high, as is the likelihood that older adults won’t understand the significance of their results, they say. They advise the test should be taken only under a physician’s supervision, if at all.

Blood test and easy early detection sounds great, but what then? New treatments both preventative and potentially curative may be on the horizon, however time and money are required. Let’s hope both will come sooner rather than later.

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Is an Alzheimer’s Program Renewal On The Way?

The United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP Committee), currently chaired by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), holds hearings on many issues including Ageing, Private pension plans and Public Health. Results of hearings may lead to the shaping of legislation.

Photo courtesy of US Department of Education

Recently Sen. Tim Kaine appeared at POLITICO’s “How Fast Can We Solve Alzheimer’s” event, and the Senator said there would be room in discussions to include a reauthorization of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which bolstered research and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

And yet as Congress looks to renew the years-old program, patient advocates at the event argued the most recent advances haven’t always made it to patients who need them most. Well why not one more try!?

 Other Senior Health News Headlines:

Cognito Raises $35 Million for Alzheimer’s Treatment Device, touts Benefits compared to Drugs - FirstWord HealthTech

Some Dementia Patients might have Reversible Symptoms caused by cirrhosis, study says - Medical News Today

Music Could Be The Secret To Fighting Off Dementia - Medical News Today

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