Australia approves new drug to treat early Alzheimer’s disease

Kisunla is first new treatment registered by TGA in 25 years but could cost patients more than $80,000 and less than one in five will be eligible

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Australia's medicines regulator has approved a new drug to treat the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, but experts warn that less than one in five people with dementia will be eligible for the treatment that could cost more than $80,000 out of pocket.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has registered donanemab, sold under the brand name Kisunla and developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, for the treatment of adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease who have a specific genetic profile.

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