ICER Report on Lecanemab: Efficacy, Cost, and Equity Concerns for Alzheimer’s Treatment

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review has released a report on lecanemab, an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The report found that while lecanemab showed a statistically significant 27% slowing of cognitive decline compared to placebo, there are concerns about the potential harm from amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. The report also found that lecanemab’s annual price of $26,500 exceeds commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds, and recommended efforts to achieve affordability and access. The report calls for all stakeholders to address health inequities in introducing new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, and for manufacturers to follow the example of the lecanemab manufacturer in sharing transparent pricing justifications and releasing all patient-level data.