What’s The Controversy Behind Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Drug?

The U.S.'s approval of Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm was heralded as a historic triumph in the fight against the memory-robbing disease. But so far, Biogen has reported only a fraction of Aduhelm revenue to meet Wall Street's expectations. Patients and physicians have been torn over the drug's murky clinical data and its high price tag. Aduhelm's lackluster launch has been costly, forcing Biogen to take measures to keep the drug afloat.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm in June was heralded as a historic triumph in the fight against a disease that kills thousands of Americans every year.
But the excitement around the first FDA-approved drug to target the underlying cause of the memory-robbing disease-not just its symptoms-has ebbed since then. The drugmaker reported just $300,000 in revenue from Aduhelm sales during the third quarter, a fraction of what Wall Street was expecting.
Physicians have been split over whether clinical trial data proves the monoclonal antibody actually slows cognitive decline. What’s more, Medicare is debating whether to cover seniors on the government-run insurance program for Alzheimer’s treatments, a decision that is crucial to their profit potential.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plans to issue a draft decision by mid-January, a spokesperson told CNBC.
Meanwhile, shares of the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech have cratered roughly 40% since the beginning of June. Given Aduhelm’s lackluster debut, as well as generic competition for Biogen’s other drugs, the company now plans to cut $500 million in annual costs.
In December, it also said it would slash Aduhelm’s controversial $56,000 annual list price by about 50% in a bid to boost sales. The company anticipates 50,000 new patients could start Aduhelm in 2022 with insurance coverage and greater access to diagnostics and specialized centers.
“In terms of this new drug, we are keeping an open mind,” said Dick Novik, who retired from the broadcast business to help care for his wife, Eugenia Zukerman, following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“If only there were a way of being more certain in our minds that it works,” Novik told CNBC.
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What’s The Controversy Behind Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Drug?

[@samsfk4877]

The price gouging in America by pharmaceutical companies is so disgusting, not surprised they suddenly decide to drop the cost by half for sales. It shows that the price never needed to be that high.

[@MohammadIshfaqueJahanRafee]

I'm not denying what you said. However, your reasoning is flawed. Developing new drugs is an extremely expensive endeavour. The pharmaceuticals have to recoup the cost they spent on 1 successful and 20 other failed drugs. That's what at play here. They can either make 56000*500 or 28000*1500. What strategy they want to pursue, depends entirely on their cost of production, how many people are actually going to buy this medicine and so on and so forth. These are not charity organizations. They are in here for making profit.

[@bendutchover1319]

@@MohammadIshfaqueJahanRafee as correct as you might be, how sad, that there is not more of a charity approach to such a horrible disease, which needs a true effective treatment. Yes, they need to be compensated for their work, but perhaps an approach like giving the first few rounds of this treatment for free, like the vaccines are to the people getting vaccinated. I hate Dimentia.

[@inter5123]

@@MohammadIshfaqueJahanRafee you can’t act like governments don’t fund some of this research either. The cost is publicly funded but the profit is realized by the investors and the board. Nothing has come more to light than COVID

[@sashaa6175]

If I had to guess the price is much higher than it needs to be to recoup the losses. Insulin and other basic drugs can cost absolutely insane amounts, whatever cost pharmaceutical companies need to recouperate they add a nice fat margin on top of that...not saying profit is bad just at what point does it become unethical because competition is blocked by red tape

[@hugoc4606]

@@MohammadIshfaqueJahanRafee you are so american 🙂! I agree with you but in your logic it is to sick people to pay the research made. Ideal is to the people to fund the research because one day they will be sick. It is already what is made by government but if the price of the treatment is that high, it's because the government didn't give enough. People just don't give enough for their futur sickness. It is my point of view, maybe so European 🙂

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

Alzheimer's is a lot scarier than it may seem. It is really bad to see one of your loved ones go through.

[@saulgoodman2018]

Or even your president. And how people around him are treating him.

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

@@saulgoodman2018 lol Biden has Alzheimer’s? Who is your president?

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@Thebreakdownshow1 It's not Biden. Just like people were saying Trump is not my president. Biden is not my president. And Trump isn't either.

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

@@saulgoodman2018 lol same for me it’s none of them trump, Biden, Obama, bush….. You see I am Canadian.

[@tbhbananas9922]

It’s not really bad it’s terrible. I think it’s worse than losing someone. You’re basically witnessing someone fade away. It is traumatic and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies. No one deserves to die this way. 😭

[@samthesuspect]

My dad passed last year from it, I can still remember the face he made the first time he couldn't remember my name. It was one of the worst days of my life.

[@mariahewitt9787]

Very sorry for your loss.

[@afzalmistry6597]

Sorry for your loss, man. I can’t imagine the pain you must have felt.

[@adminadmin9997]

I don't even talk to my dad. But your story Is tuff man.

[@samthesuspect]

Thanks for the condolences guys, leading up to that story, I noticed he stopped calling me by my name for the last few weeks. And we were on a family vacation at the beach. My sister and my mom had left to go down to the beach. We were sitting on the porch listening to the waves. He broke down in tears apologizing and all I could do was tell him it was all right and he was gonna get better even though we both knew the truth.

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

@@samthesuspect so sorry for your loss man. When was he diagnosed?

[@curtissschneider39]

I started my career at Biogen and during the last 3 years there, I was the lead for the late stage drug product development of aducanumab. 3 years of blood, sweat, and tears trying to meet corporate expectations. I ended up leaving because of the toxic environment created by only having one viable late stage product but one that could be a major blockbuster. So many bad and corrupt decisions were made. This piece barely scratches the surface.

[@triton62674]

Woaw! It's there anything you can share behind the scenes?

[@obamalastname34]

We need more

[@RishabhDesairf7627]

And now he works for another such huge company who’s paid millions for misleading customers and marketing a drug in a manner that was not approved by the FDA. I hope that you are working on something better this time, since you’re a principal scientist on your new projects and would thus have a lot more liberty to work in an ethical and responsible manner.

[@JohnS-il1dr]

@@RishabhDesairf7627 how do you know where he works? He might have retired

[@RishabhDesairf7627]

@@JohnS-il1dr A simple google search of his name and you will have all his career history.

[@VishalG04]

Sad to see that people are more interested in stock price, than the original price of medicine

[@Ye-tf9im]

Some of us are trying to make money in the stock market

[@bftjoe]

You know this is a channel about business and stocks right?

[@TanningMiami]

CAUSE IT DOES NOT WORK! Its a fancy and potentially dangerous IV! even the drs on the fda board ( that did not take kickbacks) left in protest !

[@VishalG04]

@Quentin Coberley yess

[@VishalG04]

@Whats In a name putting money into the research and making money by overpricing the medicine is totally different, you know what has happened with Insulin, its a monopoly now

[@d33pNacho]

My grandmother suffers Alzheimer's as well and I was amazed about how rational and well-spoken the senior lady in this report was

[@patzeuner8385]

She's in the early stages, and is not on the drug, the long term study can take up to 9 years and only with 1300 participants possibly more during the trial process. Medicare has already increased the cost of "Part B" cover the cost for this unproven drug that probably will not have finished the trials for years. Also private insurance companies have not agreed to pay for it. Which means if you are on one of those "Advantage Plans" and want to try the treatment you will be denied for this treatment, like so many other already proven treatments, many of the elderly are now finding out. Just because Medicare says ok, that does not mean that the "advantage plans" will approve it, that's how they make money by denying treatments and drugs for the elderly. The name is "Profit" at the expense of the elderly.

[@golgo1364]

Yeah anyone who has witnessed Alzheimer's is shocked she is seeming so clear when 3 years ago she was according to them already repeating and starting to wander. This literally seems like there is a something certain people like "Brandon" get that helps slow this down. Notice how old they are too, the few in public eye that speak of it. They seem to be doing better at 80 with Alzheimer's than your average 60 or 70 year old. Hmmm.

[@patzeuner8385]

@@golgo1364 alzheimers progresses at different rates. There is also the early onset of alzheimers that can start in when you are in your late 50s or early 60s. Because the rate of decline can vary from person to person it can be years before it can be really be noticed by family members or friends.

[@golgo1364]

@@patzeuner8385 yes i know i already said that in different words but i said it. Im not trying to be mean but im.basing my opinion on research and experience and while i could be wrong it doesn't mean i don't know the basics of Alzheimer's and i expressed i did already like geez..

[@cmdr1911]

My wife's grandma had demetia. She still had her long term memory but nothing from the last 10 years. I was reintroduced every time we met. It was hard to watch the family deal with it. I only had to deal with it twice a year since we lived so far away.

[@stockx4552]

Naturopathy has the solution buddy. Don't fall for pharma, they are here to do business they do not care about people. Change your food and chage yourself because "We are what we eat".

[@stockx4552]

Watch the documentary "What the health".

[@stockx4552]

@A H It can be reversed buddy. All chronic diseases can be reversed. Pharma lobby calls it chronic because they need returning customers to survive. Watch videos of "Natural LIfe Style" by Acharya Mohan Gupta Ji OR Watch "Satvic Movement" by Subah Jain

[@eroskaw5423]

my dad had dementia. he was losing memory. did not remember his birthday. children's names. he was getting frustrated and was always angry. but we went on changing his drugs. exercise and diet and increased his blood pressure to 140/90. his dementia went away. UCSF cardiology Dr Rosenberg was amazing. and Dr koshkin took care of his cancer. he is now at the beach, walking hours every day with my niece

[@hmt5oo]

@@stockx4552 volunteers for Alzheimer's patients and get their history to get few facts before preaching.. Few patients never consume chemical, fast foods , cans food +++, because they grown up.in different environment...so by nature they never have access to it . They still get the disease later specially after reaching 60-70 +++ Otherwise, laying on your comfort coach , You watch few motivates video about the diet and healthy food.(nothing wrong with that )..but when your , start blaming and preaching the sicks that is there false because previous eating habits..is just morally wrong...

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

It warms my heart to know that even the doctors, who could be paid off to provide the medication, are on board with not rolling this out until further research is conducted. It sounds like more trials should be run, but I'm hopeful at least some genuine help for those with alzheimers comes from this. Maybe not a cure, but perhaps it can slow its progression.

[@oceancon]

so then allow people to slowly deteriorate and waste away to nothing while waiting for 'more research'. Maybe that's not the answer either.

[@grekiki]

@@oceancon The evidence that it helps isn't there so I am not sure that government should be forced to cover such treatment

[@moonie8830]

@@oceancon Those who want can join drug trials, but the truth is that there is no drug to treat alzheimers yet. Aduhelm only got approved because FDA is corrupt, not even EMA approved it since the drug is dangerous with no benefits. Since dementia can't be treated but can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, I'd wish governments would start to focus on how they can make their citizens turn healthy again.

[@klugshicer]

I‘m not against the idea of approving a drug for people that have nothing to loose in an accelarated process and then using additional studies to ultimately prove it‘s effectiveness. But the price should reflect that, and approving it at this price sets the wrong incentives for drug makers.

[@patzeuner8385]

The company that has made this "unproven medication" has lobbied the government and now because of this so-called miracle drug that hasn't even proved that it does as the manufacturer claims, is the main reason for the Medicare costs to go up for seniors on fixed incomes.

[@theweekendmurders4958]

Alzheimer's Association 2nd leading donor for 2021 is Biogen

[@Ahsukesuke]

You'd say the same, if you were the Guinea pig?? Knowing that the drug might not even work, or speedup dementia!?

[@leftovercrumbs501]

US government is unable to set prices for drugs, it's not in its mandate even for Medicare and Medicaid. Drugs get approved for possible efficacy, safety and convenience over current standard of treatment. Prices aren't a factor for approval. Private insurers can choose whether they'll cover a drug or not, though they use patient advocacy groups and leverage with doctors to pressure insurers to cover

[@lokisg3]

There's a scandal on 1st Alzheimer research document and might be bogus and fake report. This might reset all research including this as it is wrong and the drug is noting more a placebo effect. In other words, the company is screwed.

[@Alchemist2328]

My mother is almost in the last stage of dementia. I left my well paying job in Dubai to take care of my mother back home and be a help to my father(else it would have taken a huge toll on him alone) since 2018. Ever since, I'm doing every single household chore including caring and spending time with them.

[@lucasjackson3300]

My family went through the same thing with my grandma last year. I know what you're going through, and I commend you for it. Stay strong!

[@gonza360]

It is extremely difficult. Stay strong brother

[@shreyasrd2034]

Here's your medal

[@ibec69]

I know exactly how tough it is, especially the last stages. I hope you find all the strength you need.

[@chrishayes5755]

that's rough, but that's also your responsibility. good on you for taking care of your parents.

[@Mr2pint]

Wow she is a very sharp, articulate for someone who has Alzheimer's, it's a terrible disease, my family is riddled with it - hopefully one day they'll come up with a credible solution 🌟

[@rorshak2548]

CBD acid

[@ah2522]

psychedelics

[@Teolulz]

TBH I'm not sure if much can be done in the near future. they don't even know for sure what is the root cause yet. this "disease" seems like a symptom of getting old (where everything in the body is slowly deteriorating). so treating/curing this seems like a game of trying to cheat death. nicotine (i.e by vaping) does reduce the chance of Alzheimer and dementia, however.

[@ivanvarela3215]

@@Teolulz ima pretend that last line don't exist :3

[@davidanalyst671]

BIOGEN WONT!!!! Biogen just wants more money to give you expensive drugs. Thats why this drug in the video shows very little improvement and costs $56,000 dollars a year, not including infusion center costs

[@user-fr3hy9uh6y]

The FDA is broken. When the advisory committee said No they went ahead. Every senior suffered with the highest medicare increase ever. This should have gone back to the company to produce a study that shows that the drug works.

[@patzeuner8385]

The FDA advisory board said no to it because it hasn't gone through all the testing and trials and passed as required. But the drug companies are in control of FDA approval system, so the seniors are being precharged in advance for a medication that most will never be able to receive, because it won't be approved by their "Advantage Plans". The only advantage is for the companies not the elderly.

[@davidanalyst671]

The FDA approved this drug because it lowers peoples expectations, and so they can charge 2X as much for the next alzheimers drug that shows a tiny bit more improvement. Biogen and the FDA need to be prosecuted for this corruption

[@patzeuner8385]

@gg ggLet me get this right, so you are saying that an unproven drug should get FDA approval even though it hasn't even made it through the first phase of trials with no clinical evidence that it works. And that ALL seniors, on Medicare and fixed incomes should pre-pay in advance by their increased medical premium now, January 2022. For this so-called miracle drug that will need several more "years" of testing before it may or may not work as claimed. And will be available only to benefit a limited amount of the people suffering from alzheimers. And you don't think this isn't a drug company scam

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I saw the papers on this drug right before they 'approved' it and it's not worth it AT ALL. They gave people false hope with this drug.

[@yodaisgod2]

Can you elaborate? Not trying to pick a fight. Genuinely curious. Thanks!

[@doctort2853]

@@yodaisgod2 The Harvard professor said it in the video too. The effect size was small

[@yodaisgod2]

@@doctort2853 Ah...I realized that after I had posted my message.

[@patzeuner8385]

Best part is the seniors have a major increase in their Medicare "Part B" payment to cover the cost of an unproven drug that hasn't finished any real trials and won't for years, if ever. Oh since private insurance companies haven't said they will pay for it, if the elderly on one of those Advantage Plans (for profit), they will be denied even if Medicare approves it. That's how they make their "Profit" by denying medical treatments to the elderly.

[@jessikarabbid4720]

Everytime my Grandma realizes my Grandpa is gone, it's absolutely heartbreaking... I can't even imagine how she must feel...

[@Lashteen]

Oh my god 😭

[@ross-carlson]

Alzheimer's might be the most "evil" disease we know about - as all we are is our memories, and when those are taken from us we are gone. When my father _introduced_ himself to me that was tough.

[@bobleclair5665]

I agree,memories are our blessings

[@damienlee927]

When you can slash the price by 50% at a whim just like that, it really says alot doesn't it?

[@Gabensrightnut]

You can see the pain in that elders eyes knowing his wife is slipping from him and he can do nothing but watch her lose her sanity memories being and life

[@Pscribbled]

Another uncertainty of Alzheimer’s treatment is that Alzheimer’s is diagnosed with certainty after death. So there may be some ambiguity when prescribing the drug if they’re suffering from Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.

[@ResidualSelfImage]

True. The plaque associated with AD symptoms does not always generated AD symptoms. The plaque is only highly correlated with AD - In the rush to make an expensive drug / treatment .... the basic science needed to understand and solve AD has not been done yet.... for those looking to earn their Ph. D.....

[@M.sami12]

Technically dementia is caused by alzheimer not the other way around.

[@ResidualSelfImage]

@@M.sami12 AD is listed as a form of dementia along with other forms of dementia types - this classification may change later when more basic research is done but for now there are about a dozen forms of dementia. For example, Vascular Dementia is the loss of organizational skills. It is believed certain dementia forms like Huntington's Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease have a genetic/ epigenetic markers.

[@Rust_Rust_Rust]

@@ResidualSelfImage just don't get dementia

[@drewtheceo9024]

It took my grandfather and is currently taking my step father just like his dad. Im worried about my half brother. This disease hurts everyone.

[@ayindesmith]

Did i just hear that cost of the drug would be $56,000 per year???? With 6million suffered, half that equals about 78BILLION dollars per year? 😳

[@konradhausmann6359]

How did you come up with 78bn?

[@bressplay446]

@@konradhausmann6359 It seems the education system is failing as well

[@MrMannyhw]

How much would you pay to get your mind back. 56k a year is worth it for some wealth people.

[@konradhausmann6359]

@@MrJoeSomebody 6mln x 56,000 equals 336bln. Don't know how he came up with this number.

[@ayindesmith]

@@MrMannyhw of course I would pay for anyone i knew who suffered from that as my grandmother did, but because we would pay shouldn't mean they should charge that. and yes I know drug companies have to make money but how much is too much since you making if off of people suffering.

[@madelyn8460]

My grandmother who smoked for 60+ years was able to beat lung cancer with treatment but it was Alzheimers that took her.

[@LittleTut]

I pray they find a cure, soon. God rest my mother's soul. I've seen directly what that devastating disease can do to someone. 🙏🏼

[@coweatsman]

Prayer doesn't do anything.

[@FowlorTheRooster1990]

Once the decay starts in the brain, there is no reversing it you might only be able to slow it down or stop it from decaying even more.

[@JogBird]

Only controversial in the US... Everyone else made the correct decision to not approve it

[@Teolulz]

corruption in the US is just as bad as North Korea's.

[@seanthe100]

The CEO of biogen alone makes me think it's a dud.

[@johnswanson217]

Current FDA managers should be replaced. They are making nothing but disaster.

[@Victor-tl4dk]

The treatment is probably worth $500-1000 a year, but they put some random number on it and just say screw you tired families and loved ones suffering from alzheimer's. My mom works like crazy caring for me, a student who is at a college prep high school and about to transition into college and for my grandmother who has alzheimer's and is a really toxic individual- but she like every other human being completely deserves care. At the same time she works a 40 hour/week job as a nursing assistant. The behaviors of these companies that are so poorly regulated are absolutely disgusting.

[@Thatanonguyintheback]

Imagine charging 56 thousand a year for treatment

[@Demopans5990]

Eh, you can get it cheaper by border hopping to Canada

[@DigitalYojimbo]

@@Demopans5990 how much is it in Canada ?

[@cheder6]

@@DigitalYojimbo only the US approved it. Every other country rejected it

[@Teolulz]

@@cheder6 sounds like it's a scam then. money under the table.

[@patzeuner8385]

@@Teolulz yes it's a scam, unfortunately the elderly on Medicare got an large increase to the "Part B" to prepay for an unproven drug that they can't afford. That's why seniors that are knowledgeable are upset, this is drug manufacturers and insurance companies controlling the government.

[@srcarranza]

Too late for us but I'm glad to see the beginning of the end of Alzheimer's disease, knowing first hand the scourge it is. To those in the early stages I encourage you to go for it if you can. Waiting 'to see' is no good. No time to lose. Have faith in science. God bless you.

[@GamerPotatoGuy]

Almost a trillion spent on defense but let’s throw these dogs a bone and spend 3 bil on Alzheimer’s. Seriously wtf

[@seanthe100]

we spend $4 trillion on healthcare every year. Money is not what the healthcare needs.

[@seanthe100]

@J. Sayer yet the US spends more on research for drugs than all the rest of the world combined. Maybe ask the rest of the world to add more in research.

[@BillAngelos]

Sounds like there should have been a 3rd study before there was an approval. The study should have been longer to show that it did more than remove the chemical in the brain and actually countered alzheimers before it got approved.

[@GreenAppelPie]

It sound like an unproven overpriced drug

[@saulgoodman2018]

Covid vaccine is unproven.

[@Marco-hl6gz]

@@saulgoodman2018 it’s 80-95% effective

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@Marco-hl6gz effective to who? More and more breakthrough cases everyday. As of November the US had 1.8 million breakthrough cases. That's only the one's the CDC tracks. And they only track it if you wind up in the hospital. Otherwise, they don't count it.

[@Marco-hl6gz]

@@saulgoodman2018 it’s effective to most people, it reduces transmission by 50% and reduces hospitalization by 90%. in my country we went from having 700-800 daily deaths in 2020 with many restrictions to just 50-150 daily deaths in late 2021 with few/no restrictions. vaccines are saving lives, the economy and are getting our freedoms back

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@Marco-hl6gz We do not know if someone would have gotten covid if they didn't get the vaccine. I didn't get the vaccine, and I didn't get covid. So did millions of others that didn't get the vaccine.

[@jez5855]

I wish we spent as much effort and money in figuring out how Alzhemier's and other Dementia happens in the first place.. Perhaps it would be easier to prevent it, than cure it.

[@miles5600]

As far as rn, they know it’s headspace. When your brain becomes full (full of memories) it kinda goes through a crash. That’s the sickness, your brain becomes so full that it overfills itself and forget random things that have been in your brain since you were born.

[@troy3423]

@@miles5600 Stick to gaming

[@firstlast8703]

@@troy3423 😂😂

[@miles5600]

@@troy3423 lmao 🥲

[@friedrichkrone5141]

@@miles5600 Everything you just said was wrong

[@PsudoeGaming]

SHOUT OUT TO ALL THOSE CARE GFIVERS IN THE WORLD THEY DO THE JOB EVERYONE APPRECIATES, THANKS AGAIN GUYS.

[@zxcytdfxy256]

Bad food is what is doing this. We need better food, quality food. That is the best way.

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

My father has Alz. The alarm sounded off in 2016 when he lost his way trying to get to some friends he was trying to visit. Then getting lost became more frequent. Instead of once every few months, it became every month. Now it’s every other week. He has absolutely no memory of anything prior to 2015. More painfully, I think he knows that something is not right and he tries to prove to himself that he is okay by going out and wandering as if he has something important to do. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep him safe and comfortable at the same time.

[@hmt5oo]

Whatever you do...don't disagree with his statement..it will make his condition worst. Definitely share the pain even by talking . If you have relative that can volunteers , it something great. Don't take nothing personal of what he say, if he blame you , if he curse at you , if he does something that was not his (prior to Alzheimer's)... Remember..every care givers went or going to similar stages that you are experiencing ..no exception

[@captainviper3888]

Alz is slowly killing my father year after year. We would love to just try this, but damn the price is criminal. Alz can ruin most people AND their families financially how does this make sense to them.

[@Madkalibyr]

Im so sorry captain :(

[@limeehermin6695]

You just know something’s shady when execs invite you to a meeting so they can “guide” you to understanding the data instead of the data speaking for itself.

[@wizard7314]

Yep.

[@planetzodd4849]

No that just means you may not be able to understand all the raw data it has to be summarized to be easy to read the data and conclude a result .

[@limeehermin6695]

@@planetzodd4849 companies dont just send the raw data to the fda, they prepare papers and reports on the efficacy of the drug among other things. if those papers are having a hard time getting their points across, I dont believe for a second its because it was poorly written by the multitudes of scientists that phrama company have on payroll.

[@inakuvaswaldenstrm6117]

I would literally (in the words propper meaning) rather die than live with Alzheimer. Both of my grandfathers died from it. One became seriously depressed, the other got paranoid.

[@HateTheIRS]

Same. I’d rather have an assisted suicide in Switzerland or something, rather than become a vegetable. If I was ever diagnosed,

[@rando5673]

Sadly, the pharmaceutical approach is very muddy because there are too many unknowns with how the disease works. The best treatment we have is preventative measures such as daily physical exercise and avoiding drugs that accelerate its development

[@Sharonmxg]

The idea that a pharmaceutical company could WITHOUT PRE-APPROVAL and agreement to pay for it by CMS is profoundly laughable when the consumer of the drug is going to be, predominantly, people dependent on medicare and with fixed incomes, who would never have the money to pay out of pocket to the tune of $56K/year. It is a damn joke.

[@untflutist]

Eugenia Zuckerman, what a beautiful soul. And she was a fabulous flutist, an artist. It pains me seeing her going through this disease. 😔🙏 so much research is needed to vanquish Alzheimer I have faith humanity will succeed.

[@zKMotion]

Still remember seeing my grandfather went through the early stage and last stage till his last breath. It’s certainly heartbreaking, hoping one day there’s a cure for it.

[@FowlorTheRooster1990]

Once the decay starts in the brain, there is no reversing it you might only be able to slow it down or stop it from decaying even more.

[@HateTheIRS]

@@FowlorTheRooster1990 I wonder what would happen if Alzheimer’s patients started exercising regularly and vigorously. That, is probably something that could help slow the disease, naturally. In addition to medicine. But personally, I’d have an assisted suicide if I ever had Alzheimer’s, if I was diagnosed ever, I can’t imagine how people don’t talk to their family about that option, why would anyone want to see a family member wither away and become a vegetable?

[@HateTheIRS]

@gg gg there was a British man with dementia/Alzheimer’s, he said he is going to have an assisted suicide in Switzerland, once his quality of life deteriorates. He still understands what, an assisted suicide is fully, he’s talked about on news channels, even though he has Alzheimer’s. I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but it should be an option.

[@betterthanyourname2391]

I just hope in 50 years we have some cure or major break through to prevent or slow the spread of dementia or Alzheimer’s. An its crazy but i remember last year i had a dream that we found a cure for alzeheimers disease. The cure was a nasal spray that traveled to the brain. But I don’t remember if the spray had to be used once a week or once a month. Either way that dream was pretty cool and i hope maybe that might be a cure one day for elderly people an who ever has this horrible disease.

[@gw6496]

They won't because it too much to be made.off of not curing the illness

[@MrMannyhw]

Just in time to save my mind from going blank, awesome.

[@ericviele4379]

That’s a damn good dream 😊

[@NB-lx6gz]

Humanity doesn't even have 50 years

[@MrMannyhw]

@@NB-lx6gz For some of humanity, they would be wiped out. As we can see the US parts are getting flooded and getting tornadoes. Some places like Brazil is getting a lot of floods. I am certain some of humanity will survive but not everyone will. Desperate enough in the next few decades, as the needy cry for help, the well off group answer to them would be “no”.

[@birth23ful]

Isn't this the drug where the study showed that the placebo made as much improvement as much as the people that took the drug?

[@ameliasparkles13]

This affects everyone. Fingers crossed..

[@chetanrawool]

this FDA approval sounds lot like oxycontin...

[@Piggy991]

Taking second mortgage when youre 70 to get a treatment.. just wow... thank god I dont live in US

[@toomanymarys7355]

Medicare pays.

[@rosemarieroth1984]

Does Medicare pay most of it, some of it, or all of it? Some Medicare co-pays are high. It's not a "free" program in the U.S.

[@dalindr]

Interesting how nobody talks about he effectiveness of psilocybin, probably because there is no money to be made when you can't patent your own drug...

[@rosemarieroth1984]

Absolutely...

[@Decaf_Oatmeal]

When the “doctor” called it “all-timers”; all credibility went out the window.

[@user-fh9qt6eo1h]

tmw minor grammar mistake

[@justingreen8006]

I thought right away.. there's no way he's a professor at Harvard and got that one wrong. SMH

[@Wildwonkywhack]

It’s not rational but this is one of my biggest pet Peeves

[@salemengineer2130]

My Father died of Alzheimer's and the for the last decade of his life had no idea who I was. I view the new Biogen drug as a very cruel and expensive joke that will be played on Alzheimer's sufferers, their families, and the American tax payer. Aricept is also a cruel joke. Father took it for nearly 15 years without any observable benefit. But at least Aricept was not that expensive.

[@planetzodd4849]

I'm sorry for your loss but just because it didn't work for your family member It could still work on other people and in higher doses because their are different methods of ingesting it intranasal works well and intramuscular have better effectiveness than a pill since it doesn't get destroyed in the stomach we have more research than we did 15y ago no disrespect I just want to shed a little light on saying their is hope and I understand your loss but their is still hope for other peoples family so you and others may try at least rather than say we did nothing to help at least we can say we tried and using science we can further help the future generations in this matter.

[@HateTheIRS]

I don’t know how people can live with alzeheimers, I’d rather off myself if I was diagnosed.

[@salemengineer2130]

@@HateTheIRS I totally agree. Father lived on for 16 years after his diagnosis. Death is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

[@HateTheIRS]

@@salemengineer2130 I hate to ask you this but did you ever talk to him about that?

[@salemengineer2130]

@@HateTheIRS The answer is that I did not talk to him about it. Perhaps I should have but he understood what he faced and I figured it was his decision to make. Having seen what happened to him... I know what I would do if I get the diagnosis and I don't need anyone elses input on the subject.

[@simoncao5924]

I am 28 and I have problem remembering things. I am so fearful when I get old :(

[@Madkalibyr]

We will always stay sick when money is the main goal.

[@alexabouezzi1000]

Was the same conference with the fda about reviving aduhelm the same conference that became a covid 19 super spreader?

[@mrussell8566]

All you need to know is found in US Patent 6,630,507 The government knows of a treatment, but refuses to legalize it.

[@korbiniankoch]

That patent expired in 2019 and is not protected any more.

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

I was gonna make an Alzheimer’s joke but I forgot it

[@jimmyjamesraynor6180]

Cassava Sciences has Simufilam. Huge huge potential

[@maximilianjohandson3382]

So true! Hope they get to market soon so people can use their medicine.

[@eastanglianlife5461]

If it doesn't work don't use it

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

My 90 year old neighbor has Alzheimer's And every morning when i wake up he's in a panic knocking at my door asking if I'd seen his wife, and every day i am forced to remind him that she has been dead for over 10 years... Honestly i could just move, the house isn't too great, and I've had many opportunities to live in better places.. But the look of pure joy on his face every time i tell him she's dead just makes my day and keeps me from leaving.

[@motox2416]

Truly touching. I've done my part to take this comment to the top.

[@94Zero]

We have to try.

[@Robis9267]

Europe did not approve this drug.

[@Commentator541]

OMG this elderly couple is gorgeous! Such beautful people!

[@Victor-tl4dk]

1:09 that is disgusting. They tell about a life saving drug (not only for the patient, but the family of patients who often go through crazy amounts of stress caring for loved ones with alzheimer's) and then immediately change to the stock price!!! Absolutely disgusting. Obviously innovators need to be rewarded for their work, but the US is crazy. It makes me want to throw up.

[@mohameddemnati864]

TauRx is Singaporean company more than 30 years research for alzaimer & they really got amazing results but still not approved by fda yet

[@mikedoan7808]

Experimental drug/treatment after passing some stages before the final should let the patients have rights to choose with informed decision to take or not closely monitor with doctor team of that drug

[@kiedranFan2035]

Amazing that such a disease like this is much less common then what i have in mind for biosciences. But my parents think my ideas are hopeless and unsellable etc. Wow. I really hope this problem goes away though, it already killed my grandma. One day she just couldn't sustain basic Organ function as it progressed to a critical point and was long after she was done mentally. She died when we could no longer keep her going. A strong body and willing person is no match

[@mlee6136]

The influence of money into government agencies is not new in the US. Remember Boeing…. How about lobbying…the list goes on. Broken systems

[@GamerbyDesign]

Lol even if it worked 56K a year? GTFO

[@GamerbyDesign]

@@Marco-hl6gz yeah right about the time you get your mind back your now homeless and loss your mind again because you can't afford the treatment

[@seanthe100]

@@GamerbyDesign that's not how Medicare works

[@GamerbyDesign]

@@seanthe100 So your saying only people on Medicare will get this?

[@seanthe100]

@@GamerbyDesign who else can afford it?

[@GamerbyDesign]

@@seanthe100 That was my point.

[@americanexpat8792]

My mother and father both have had dementia/Alzheimer's. Trust me, everybody in our family would love to have had a cure. However, drugs aren't likely to ever treat the disease. By the time that it shows up, it's too late. This drug won't work, either. The best answer for dementia/Alzheimer's is diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes the earlier in your life the better. That's your best bet to avoid what has happened to both my parents. There are many people talking about this nowadays. For example, Dr. Sten Ekberg. Do your homework, adjust your lifestyle, make sure you are taking B12, Vitamin D, and pray to God. Given that both my parents had dementia, this is the route that I am taking. It's amazing that there is so much emphasis on drugs, when the best evidence is that lifestyle is FAR more important in solving many illnesses. Plus, it is vastly cheaper.

[@mig7287]

👍👍

[@lekishalovett761]

Good morning so will everything your saying will it work my father had alzheimers

[@shawn1869]

FDA losing credibility every day

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

Doctor: “For how long have you had alzheimers?” Patient: “As long as I can remember.”

[@Victor-tl4dk]

That's not even really funny...

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

@@Victor-tl4dk did someone say it’s funny? It’s actually sad

[@siliconvalley-z4j]

My grandma is Alzheimer's, and she ate some Alzheimer's drug, but it seems don't have any efficiency.

[@Jimminityjabooboo]

Hint: it’s not drugs, it’s food.

[@ronlentjes2739]

Spot on!

[@ronlentjes2739]

Spot on!

[@River313]

Be nice if you would cover Cassava Sciences Simufilam which is safe, in phase 3 , and had unprecedented open label ADAS-COG11 scores showing improvement

[@maximilianjohandson3382]

Cassaca sciences (SAVA) are developing a medicine that is far better than Biogens with astonishing ph 2 data. It also has NO adverse health effects. The only thing thats left is their ph 3 study, but since their ph 3 trial is designed with help from the fda, i expect an approval this year and then a 10x in share price

[@justrandomthings319]

Bag holder. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@KhaledTheSaudiHawkII]

🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@Sagar_Ghimire]

$HOTH

[@ZezimaTruth]

A year's salary for a drug that doesn't work

[@ZezimaTruth]

@A H I try not to think about my life in 30-40 years and what things will be like. But I agree, I need to work on things. And be more optimistic.

[@wizard7314]

@A H it's not just about your diet dummy. You just want to feel that you're in control. You're not. It'll happen or it won't.

[@juanandresrojassarmiento7822]

I think that goverments should be more focus in the prevention rather than finding only a cure. With that will reduce cost and people sick

[@K4R3N]

Happy New Year

[@ronlentjes2739]

The $FDA$ allows not listing Neurotoxic Aluminum on food labels! Eg Neurotoxic Aluminum silently used in cheese in high levels: 1 as salt emulsifier to make surface nice and melting better, 2 as caking agent to keep slices separated! It is labelled on table salt using E numbers and most common one now is Neurotoxic Aluminum based. Also used in flour, garlic powder, other spice powders, drink powders, most POWDERS. If anything like salt is listed as ingredient, then the Neurotoxic Aluminum does not have to be labelled! So wherever there is salt... Oh and Neurotoxic Aluminum is also used to keep your thoughts separated. Happy Alzheimer's Day! That is don't eat cheese, table salt, spice powders, drink powders, most POWDERS, processed foods, $medications$, $drugs$, $vaccines$. Don't use Aluminum cookware of any sort. Coffee and tea that grow in Aluminum contaminated soils. Don't use Aluminum foil of any kind.

[@rosemarieroth1984]

Thanks, think I'll do some research on the post above (by ronlentjes)

[@claytonjames4779]

Why is this guy allowed to be recorded saying "all-timer's" disease? 🤦‍♂️

[@ronlentjes2739]

Here's what I do. I am keto/veg. Saturated fat, butter (160 C), clarified butter (220 C), red meat, eggs, nuts, vegetables, fruit. No wheat, bread, cereal, pasta, rice. No sugar. No artificial sugar of any kind. Only sweeten with fruits. Only 100% unsweetened Baker's chocolate. Only eat once a day. Fast (only water and minerals) 2 or 3 or 5 or 7 or sometimes 14 days. If 3+ days, cell repair will occur. Absolute cancer killer (lack of sugar, keto, so on). No processed foods - No E number chemicals. No sources of Aluminum!! Only whole foods. Works a charm!! NO $medications$, $drugs$, $vaccines$!!! They are designed to keep you sick! Oh and turn off your lie box TV and other mainstream sources of $brain washing$ $propaganda$.

[@ernestbywater411]

I see no evidence that there was a fault in the FDA process, nor any evidence that everything they did was correct. What we've seen is some trials that show differing results, something we should expect as NO drug has exactly the same result on everyone except for deadly toxins. Everything else is all a matter or trained or informed judgements and what we're seeing here is different experts having different opinions. That's what we expect when experts discuss anything.

[@PureTopic0]

Glad to be in The Time where there is a drug to help Alzheimers but funding then paying and taxing the drug does not mean its a cure if it becomes a Unreachable to those who don't have resources time ect. This is for any Drug Natural or Synthetic

[@Jesse-ey5xd]

"Devlin McGregor is proud to present... Provasic".

[@Cre8tive81]

Costs 56k a year? Wtf is wrong with this world…

[@rudylampas2279]

Hoping that India will find or developed a drug that will Cure Dimentia,if that's the case, the price I'm sure will be affordable.

[@ManfromNowhere233]

Sackler family’s Dopesick episode all over again.

[@theweekendmurders4958]

Alzheimer's Association 2nd leading donor for 2021 is Biogen

[@Alex-gd9li]

The FDA should be more lax with drug approval.

[@shiv0123456789]

Would love for my wife to be able to try this but who can afford 50,00 dollars a year

[@maximilianjohandson3382]

Cassava sciences are currently enrolling patients in their ph 3 study for free and their results are astonishingly better than Biogens and cassava's medicine has had NO serious adverse health effect after over 100 000 dosages. There are many people who are signing up their loved ones with alzheimers. You can contact them. Good luck

[@marcmyles7249]

Cassava is farther ahead in the alzimers race

[@gregghunter1796]

No real side effect found yet either.

[@rufertsoncheever]

Realtalk: The challenge is not how to make a cure the challenge is how to make a cure that can make the manufacturer hundreds of billions of dollars

[@Davidjune1970]

$56k/year per patient …. Guess they are going for a 12 month ROI

[@Criss4]

This drug would cost about 300€ per year, per patient in Sweden. We also have 500 days of parental leave. So if you are a levelheaded non duschie American, well.... Wellcome to Sweden.

[@NB-lx6gz]

Don't invite them lol.

[@rosemarieroth1984]

Oh, how we wish....but no country is problem-free. However, in terms of life quality, safety, and excellent educational institutions, the U.S.is not high on that ladder these days.

[@uuuu260]

Government needs to start making drugs themselves, cut some of that military budget or get some of that tax payer money from the billionaires. Our gov should be making generics and pushing research for drugs since companies are only money hungry. This isn’t innovation, this is greed

[@hrsdarwish306]

Commodified healthcare... immorality incarnate.

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

medicare increased our premium they take from out ssi check $30 a month, and $15 of it goes to this drug. so we are paying for a drug that probably that doesn't work. That's a $180 a year from my miniscule ssi check that i live on.

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

@A H but its automatic. last year it was 148.50 i think. or do you just have medicare and not an advantage plan.

[@kingjames4886]

talking to the FDA: this is nothing new, it's all well known and safe. talking to the patent office: this is a unique new product.

[@jofx4051]

If you got Alzeimer u better prepare to make last wish rather than pay costly drug that maybe even more than your annual salary

[@VyvienneEaux]

It’s almost as if there’s a finite amount of money you can squeeze out of people before they run out

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

My father was diagnosed with alzheimer's last year, so I've gotten really good at introducing myself... To all of mom's new boyfriends.

[@HateTheIRS]

I hate to ask you, but, have you ever asked your Father about having an assisted suicide, instead of letting him become a vegetable? And sorry to hear that, but, it’s really painful seeing someone wither away. I’d rather off myself, personally, if I ever got this disease.

[@3rdworldvictimyouvebeenlie817]

@@HateTheIRS that's my plan if I ever get such horrible disease and there is no affordable cure in the future: travel to the Netherlands and BEG as hard as I can for assisted suicided. No one deserves to forget all of their life.