Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. have announced the U.S. availability of LEQEMBI® IQLIK™ (lecanemab-irmb), a subcutaneous injection introduced as a maintenance dosing option for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild dementia stage of the disease — collectively referred to as early AD.
Following 18 months of intravenous (IV) LEQEMBI (10 mg/kg every two weeks), patients may now choose to either continue IV infusions once every four weeks or transition to the new weekly 360 mg subcutaneous injection using the LEQEMBI IQLIK autoinjector.
Read More
To support patients throughout their treatment journey, Eisai and Biogen have also launched the LEQEMBI Companion™ program, reinforcing their shared commitment to improving access, education, and adherence to LEQEMBI therapy.
“The program aims to provide expanded resources that support patients throughout their LEQEMBI treatment journey, from initiation through maintenance therapy,” the companies said in a joint statement.
In addition to existing services such as insurance guidance and financial support identification, the LEQEMBI Companion program now includes:
Injection education from Nurse Educators (available in-person or virtually) to train patients on using the LEQEMBI IQLIK device.
A welcome kit containing educational materials to help patients and caregivers prepare for at-home injections.
The LEQEMBI Companion app, developed with Medisafe, a digital medication management platform. The app provides injection tracking tools, educational content, and care partner support — available at LEQEMBI.com/CompanionAppSignUp.
For patients requiring financial assistance, Eisai’s Patient Assistance Program (PAP) will provide LEQEMBI and LEQEMBI IQLIK at no cost to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals who meet financial and program criteria. Patients can learn more or seek support by visiting LEQEMBI.com/PatientSupport or calling 1-833-4-LEQEMBI (1-833-453-7362), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Research indicates that amyloid-beta protofibrils and tau tangles play central roles in neuronal damage and cognitive decline.
“Only LEQEMBI fights AD in two ways – targeting both amyloid plaque and protofibrils, which can impact tau downstream,” Eisai stated.
As studies show, discontinuation of therapy leads to reaccumulation of AD biomarkers and a return to placebo-like disease progression, making ongoing maintenance therapy essential for sustaining cognitive benefits and slowing disease advancement.
The introduction of LEQEMBI IQLIK offers a home-based treatment option, reducing the need for infusion center visits and optimizing healthcare resource utilization.
“The LEQEMBI IQLIK also has the potential to reduce healthcare resources associated with IV maintenance dosing, such as preparation for infusion and nurse monitoring, while increasing infusion capacity for new eligible patients,” the companies noted.
Eisai leads global development and regulatory submissions for lecanemab, while Eisai and Biogen jointly co-commercialize and co-promote the therapy. Eisai retains final decision-making authority.
Protofibrils, considered one of the most toxic forms of amyloid-beta, are believed to drive neuronal and synaptic damage in AD. By reducing protofibrils, LEQEMBI may help limit neuronal injury and cognitive decline, potentially altering the disease’s progression.