Biogen, Eisai prompt Medicare to reevaluate Alzheimer’s coverage after new data
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Medicare chief said Thursday that the agency is willing to reconsider coverage of Alzheimerâs drugs, after Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Eisai (OTCPK:ESALF) (OTCPK:ESALY) posted promising data for lecanemab, their new beta-amyloid beta antibody for the memory robbing disease.
In April, Medicare severely restricted the coverage of anti-amyloid Alzheimer's therapies after Biogen (BIIB) and Eisai (OTCPK:ESALF) won FDA approval for their Alzheimer's treatment Aduhelm under controversial circumstances in June 2021.

"I can't speak to any specifics, but just to say that our door is really open," Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in response to a question on the agency's approach to lecanemab.
"We will look at it as new data comes," she added. Medicare is a government-backed insurance program that caters to people aged 65 and above, some younger people with disabilities, and patients with end-stage renal disease.
Biogen (BIIB) and its Japanese partner Eisai (OTCPK:ESALF) (OTCPK:ESALY) rallied other Alzheimer's drug developers in November after posting robust data from their Phase 3 trial for lecanemab.