Dementia drug Rekembi begins prescribing at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

Seoul Asan Medical Center announced on the 19th that it began prescribing the new early-stage Alzheimer's disease drug 'Rekembi (ingredient name: lecanemab)' on the 16th.

Rekemvi is an Alzheimer's treatment jointly developed by Biogen in the United States and Eisai in Japan. It is known to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloid beta proteins in the brain, a major cause of the disease. In fact, international clinical trials have shown that Rekemvi cleared amyloid beta proteins in approximately 68% of patients, and the rate of disease progression was also reduced by an average of 27%.

In July 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally approved Rekembi. Following this, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also approved the product in May of this year, leading to its domestic launch last month.

Rekembi is indicated for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to early dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Pretreatment eligibility is assessed through cognitive function tests, MRI, PET or cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta protein tests, and APOE genotyping, before deciding whether to administer the drug.

The medication is administered intravenously every two weeks, with a total treatment period of 18 months. Due to the nature of the disease, the goal is to slow progression rather than achieve a cure. Regular MRI scans are required after treatment to prevent cerebral edema or hemorrhage.

Professor Jae-Seong Lim of the Department of Neurology at Seoul Asan Medical Center said, “Rekembi is a treatment that presents a major turning point for patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease,” and added, “We will open a new chapter in Alzheimer’s disease management by prioritizing patient safety and treatment efficacy.”

<Source: Health Chosun>