Infusion Associates (IA), one of the Midwest’s leading providers of medically prescribed outpatient infusion and injection therapies, today completed their first Leqembi® (lecanemab-irmb) infusion treatment for a patient at their Troy, Michigan location to slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
After giving an accelerated approval in January, U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted traditional approval of Leqembi on July 6, 2023 as an infused (given through a needle placed in a vein) therapy for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and other important mental functions, affecting an estimated 6.7 million Americans ages 65 and older in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Infusion Associates’ expert clinical teams have been caring for patients with chronic neurological conditions through infusion and injection treatments for over 20 years. “Although Leqembi is not a cure, the treatment gives people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s a longer timeline to maintain their independence and participate in activities they love,” says Lindsey Savickas, chief operating officer at Infusion Associates. “We are proud to be able to offer this innovative treatment at Infusion Associates and will continue to advocate for new therapies for our patients.”
The new infusion treatment, developed by drug manufacturers Eisai and Biogen, is the first disease-modifying treatment for early-stage Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment to receive full regulatory approval. Patients who are prescribed Leqembi will receive it via intravenous infusions every two weeks and have regular MRI scans and physician visits to monitor for potential side effects.
IA’s first Leqembi patient, Maria, shared her excitement to begin receiving the new drug, “I’m looking forward to receiving the medication; even if it’s not improvement, I’m hoping the infusion helps with the stabilization of my Alzheimer’s.”
