News Briefs: Lecanemab Could Increase Medicare Drug Spend by Billions

Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc.’s Leqembi (lecanemab) could raise Medicare Part B spending by $8.9 billion or more annually if it receives full approval from the FDA KFF found. And a report by researchers from the RAND Corp. found that Leqembi could increase spending by $2 billion to $5 billion. KFF’s projection was based on an annual list price of $26,500 and uptake among 5% of Alzheimer’s patients. The RAND report included estimates of ancillary costs, such as MRI scans. The FDA granted accelerated approval to the anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment in January, and its decision on full approval is expected soon.

CVS Health Corp is shutting down its clinical trials division, which launched in 2021, and will conclude operations in 2024. The division has worked with more than 30 drugmakers on 50 Phase I, II and IV studies involving 33,000 participants, according to Modern Healthcare.