The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given the green light to a new Alzheimer’s drug, Kisunla, for use in the early stages of the disease. Developed by Eli Lilly, Kisunla has been approved specifically for individuals with mild or early onset of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. The approval provides a fresh option for patients battling the memory-destroying ailment. This move comes in the wake of the FDA’s previous approval of a similar drug from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.
Kisunla constitutes only the second drug that has been convincingly demonstrated to delay cognitive decline in patients. The delay associated with the new drug is modest, amounting to approximately seven months. It is crucial for patients and their families to consider this benefit against the potential downsides, including the need for regular IV infusions and the risk of hazardous side effects such as brain swelling.
Eli Lilly’s Kisunla, previously known as donanemab, is a monoclonal antibody infusion that needs to be administered every four weeks. The drug works by targeting amyloid in the brain, which is a recognized hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Lilly, the drug will be priced at $695 per vial before insurance coverage, with an estimated cost of $12,522 for a six-month course or around $32,000 for a year of treatment, depending on the duration of the patient’s therapy.
This approval marks a significant milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, providing an effective option for those in the early stages of the illness. While the delay in cognitive decline may be modest, the availability of Kisunla represents a step forward in meeting the needs of patients and their families as they navigate the challenges posed by this debilitating condition.
