First solid win for amyloid could lead CMS to rethink controversial NCD

After over two decades of clinical trials testing amyloid-lowering agents to treat Alzheimer’s disease, Phase III data from Eisai’s anti-amyloid mAb lecanemab has brought the field to a tipping point, making possible to say with confidence that dramatically reducing brain deposits of β-amyloid can slow clinical decline at least a little bit.

With a full approval for lecanemab almost certain, the findings could convince CMS to re-evaluate its controversial coverage with evidence requirements for the anti-amyloid drug class that came with the also controversial approval of Aduhelm aducanumab-avwa from  Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)...