FDA expected to give first full approval for Alzheimer's drug
Help could be on the way for millions of people living with Alzheimer's.
Wednesday, for the first time ever, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may give full approval to a drug designed to slow the progression of the disease.
The drug is called Leqembi.
A clinical trial showed the drug slowed cognitive decline by 27% in patients who were in the early stage of Alzheimer's -- a disease impacting more than 300,000 North Carolinians.
Here's how the drug works
Leqembi identifies and attacks certain proteins that are in your body when you have Alzheimer's.
By breaking down the proteins, it slows down the disease.
If the FDA approves the drug Wednesday, Leqembi would be the first drug that slows the progress of Alzheimer's to be given full approval by the FDA.
It's expected to cost around $25,000 dollars a year for treatment, according to the North Carolina Medical Society.
Leqembi was fast tracked for FDA approval back in January.
Another drug designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, Aduhelm, has been given conditional approval, but its benefits remain unproven.
Source: WRAL News
