U.S. approval of Biogen Alzheimer’s drug

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Biogen Inc’s aducanumab drug using its Accelerated Approval pathway. Aducanumab targets amyloid plaque that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s – helping to slow the onset of the condition. It works by removing sticky deposits of a protein called amyloid beta from the brains of patients in earlier stages of Alzheimer’s in order to stave off its ravages, which include memory loss and the inability to care for oneself.

It is the first to be approved in 20 years, additionally, it is the first treatment to target the cause of the disease, instead of helping easing symptoms. Biogen has priced the drug, to be sold at $56,000 per year.