30.07.2024 | Insight
Advances in Alzheimer’s Treatment: Navigating New Horizons in Monoclonal Antibodies
2023 marked a pivotal year in the realm of Alzheimer’s disease management, with significant developments in monoclonal antibody treatments shaping the future landscape. Using our unique technology in CREATION Pinpoint®, we discovered that two particular therapies dominated online discussions among healthcare professionals (HCPs), with one receiving FDA accelerated approval and the other showcasing promising Phase III trial data. These treatments represent the forefront of a new era in Alzheimer’s care, offering hope and new options for managing a disease that affects millions worldwide.
In the first significant development of the year, Eisai’s lecanemab received FDA accelerated approval for the management of mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer’s, based on its ability to reduce amyloid plaques—a key pathological feature of the disease. This approval was described as a beacon of hope, offering a novel mechanism to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. We observed a positive response from healthcare professionals, though it was tempered by calls for more comprehensive data to fully assess the drug’s efficacy and safety profile.
Meanwhile, pricing discussions highlighted the treatment’s comparative affordability against earlier therapies. However, the approval process itself was not without controversy. Debates ensued over the drug’s breakthrough status, driven by concerns about safety, particularly the risks of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities and cerebral haemorrhage.
Later in the year, Lilly’s donanemab emerged from Phase III trials with data that demonstrated its potential to significantly slow cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer’s patients. This result was met with optimism about its implications for patient care, although it also reignited concerns about safety, specifically regarding brain swelling and bleeding noted during the trials.
As we progressed through the year, the conversation among healthcare professionals evolved. By mid-2023, lecanemab received full FDA approval, further cementing its role in the treatment landscape and coinciding with Medicare’s decision to cover it, which was celebrated by some HCPs.
Comparative discussions between these two leading therapies became increasingly frequent, with safety and efficacy data scrutinised to predict which might ultimately prove more beneficial for patients.
As Lilly’s donanemab sought regulatory approval we noticed a marked decline in the level of engagement of HCPs discussing both of these breakthrough treatments. In July 2024 the FDA approved donanemab. This was met by some general news sharing from eHCPs, many of which announced the decision via quoted headlines or reshares of others’ posts.
Overall there were approximately half as many posts from eHCPs responding to donanemab’s approval compared to that of lecanemab. Moreover very few of these expressed an opinion. The themes that had previously been so prominent around efficacy, safety, affordability, and head-to-head comparisons all declined, some quite dramatically.
The industry’s attention is now fixed on how these therapies are received in real-world settings, with ongoing discussions focusing on their long-term impact, cost-effectiveness, and integration into existing treatment protocols.
As we look ahead, the strategic considerations for these therapies involve not only understanding and addressing the clinical needs but also navigating the complex interplay of market dynamics, regulatory policies, and healthcare economics. Engaging with and learning from ongoing healthcare provider discussions will be crucial in shaping the future of Alzheimer’s treatment, ensuring that these innovations reach their full potential in improving patient outcomes.
Now it becomes more vital than ever to understand the nuance of the discussions that are taking place online. You can find the latest HCP insights in Alzheimers and other therapy areas in our articles, white papers and webinars. Those in the pharmaceutical industry can recieve these insight direct to your inbox in our dedicated monthly eJournal, CREATION Knowledge.