Australia has approved a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, marking the first such approval in 25 years. The drug, donanemab – to be sold under the name Kisunla – is now available for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s who meet specific criteria.
This breakthrough offers renewed hope to families affected by the condition. Kisunla is designed to slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s by targeting and removing amyloid plaques in the brain, which are strongly linked to the disease. Clinical studies suggest the drug can delay cognitive decline by up to 30% in eligible patients.
The treatment involves monthly intravenous infusions over a period of 12 to 18 months. It is intended for people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia caused by Alzheimer’s, and who test positive for amyloid buildup.
However, it is not suitable for everyone. Those with two copies of the ApoE ε4 gene, a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s, are excluded due to a higher risk of serious side effects, such as brain swelling and bleeding.
Access to Kisunla also presents financial challenges. Each infusion costs around $4,700, with overall treatment and diagnostic expenses expected to exceed $80,000. At present, the treatment is not covered under Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), although a formal application for PBS support is under review.
Health experts have described the approval as a major advancement, particularly in a field where treatment options have been limited for decades. They also stress the importance of early diagnosis, as the drug is only effective in the early stages of the disease. There are ongoing efforts to improve screening tools, including the introduction of simpler blood tests to identify eligible patients sooner.
With Alzheimer’s affecting around 600,000 Australians and numbers expected to rise, the approval of Kisunla is a crucial development in how the country manages one of its most pressing health challenges.
