In quiet debut, Alzheimer's drug finds questions, skepticism

The first new Alzheimer's treatment in more than 20 years was hailed as a breakthrough when regulators approved it more than four months ago, but its rollout has been slowed by questions about its price and how well it works.

Several major medical centers remain undecided on whether to use Biogen's Aduhelm, which is recommended for early stages of the disease. Big names like the Cleveland Clinic and Mass General Brigham in Boston say they'll pass on it for now. 

One neurology practice has even banned the company's sales reps from its offices, citing concerns about the drug and its price, which can climb past $50,000 annually.

Many doctors say they need to learn more about how Aduhelm works and what will be covered before they decide whether to offer it. That might take several months to sort out. Even then, questions may linger.

"The drug won't be for everybody, even with access," said Salim Syed, an analyst who covers Biogen for Mizuho Securities USA. 

Syed estimates that only around one-tenth of the people diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's may wind up taking Aduhelm chronically, especially if regulators approve similar treatments from Biogen's competitors.

Biogen, which reports third-quarter financial results Wednesday, is not saying how many people have received the drug since it was approved on June 7. A company executive said last month that Biogen was aware of about 50 sites infusing Aduhelm, far fewer than the 900 the company had said it expected to be ready shortly after regulators approved the drug.

Aduhelm is the first in a line of new drugs that promise to do what no other Alzheimer's treatment has managed: slow the progress of the fatal brain-destroying disease instead of just managing its symptoms. 

"It's like a breath of fresh air," said Dr. Stephen Salloway, a Rhode Island neurologist and Biogen consultant who is prescribing the drug. People with Alzheimer's "know what's coming, and they want to do whatever they can to stay in the milder stage."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Aduhelm despite objections from its own independent advisers, several of whom resigned. The agency later said the drug was appropriate for patients with mild symptoms or early-stage Alzheimer's.

Aduhelm clears brain plaque thought to play a role in Alzheimer's disease, and regulators made the call based on study results showing the drug seemed likely to benefit patients. 

Biogen, which developed Aduhelm with Japan's Eisai Co., had halted two studies on the drug due to disappointing results. It later said further analysis showed the treatment was effective at higher doses. 

The FDA is requiring Biogen to conduct a follow-up study.

The research Biogen submitted so far doesn't give doctors as much insight as they would normally have into a drug, said Dr. Brendan Kelley, a neurologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Its experts are still reviewing Aduhelm. 

"Biogen went to the FDA with preliminary data, so it makes it really challenging to know how to navigate," he said. More complete research would give doctors a better idea for how the drug will work in a broader patient population, Kelley said.

Cost is another concern.

Biogen's pricing for Aduhelm is "irresponsible and unconscionable," according to signs posted on office doors for The Neurology Center, a Washington, D.C.-area practice. The signs also refer to Aduhelm as a medication "of dubious effectiveness" and tell Biogen sales reps they are no longer welcomed in the center's offices. 

"As physicians we feel compelled to speak out and protest BIOGEN's actions," one of the signs reads.

Neurology Center CEO Wendy Van Fossen said the signs went up in July, but she declined to elaborate on why they were posted.

A Biogen spokeswoman said in an email that it was disappointing that some centers are denying access to the drug. 

As for Aduhelm's effectiveness, company data shows that plaque removal "is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit," said Biogen Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan. She said regulators reviewed data from more than 3,000 patients, counting two late-stage studies and earlier research.

Doctors also are worried about whether patients taking Aduhelm will be able to get the regular brain scans needed to monitor their progress on the drug.

Issues with care access weren't explored in the clinical research, which also involved patients who were generally younger and healthier than those in the broader population, noted Dr. Zaldy Tan, director of the Cedars-Sinai memory and aging program.

The Los Angeles health system is still evaluating Aduhelm. Its committee of experts is considering things like which doctors will prescribe the drug and how to ensure patients are monitored for problems like dizziness or headaches develop. Bleeding in the brain is another potential side effect.

"Safety and access are real issues that need to be prioritized," Tan said. 

Aduhelm also requires a deeper level of coordination among doctors than other Alzheimer's treatments, noted Radhakrishnan. 

Prescribing doctors have to work with neurologists, radiologists and nurse practitioners to diagnose patients, confirm the presence of plaque in the brain, get them started on the treatment and then monitor them.

"All of this is work in progress," Radhakrishnan said. 

Uncertainty about insurance coverage is another holdup.

Some insurers have decided not to cover the drug. Others, including the major Medicare Advantage insurer Humana, haven't made a decision yet but are reviewing claims case by case in the meantime. 

The federal Medicare program is expected to make a national coverage determination by next spring that will lay out how it handles the drug.

Biogen executives said recently they think most sites that will offer the drug are waiting for clarity on reimbursement, including that Medicare decision. 

Medicare's determination looms large for the Cedars-Sinai experts. Tan said they know they should reach a decision before the Medicare decision prompts more patient inquiries. 

He said doctors also realize they aren't just evaluating Aduhelm: They're also thinking about how to handle similar treatments that could get FDA approval.

"We want to make sure we get it right," Tan said.