UAE becomes second country to approve new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

The UAE has become the world’s second country, after the US, to approve the registration and use of the Biogen’s Aduhelm (aducanumab), the first and only drug to treat early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The drug is supplied as injections containing a dose of 100mlg. It is prescribed to patients with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia) and aids in reducing amyloid beta plaques in the brain.

The efficacy of Aduhelm was evaluated in two Phase 3 clinical trials EMERGE (Study 1) and ENGAGE (Study 2) in patients with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease with confirmed presence of amyloid pathology. The effects of Aduhelm were also assessed in the double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging Phase 1b study, PRIME (Study 3).

“For the first time in history, we have achieved an unprecedented achievement by moving beyond treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease towards targeting its main causes. Early detection and diagnosis of MCI will allow us to identify patients who may benefit from this innovative treatment,” said Dr. Paul Aisen, Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), University of Southern California.

Rachid Azar, executive vice president, Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Impairment Business Unit, added: “Biogen’s tireless research efforts and dedication to achieving its goals have enabled us to fulfill our commitment to provide the first treatment of its kind in many years to Alzheimer’s patients. We believe that this drug will give patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and healthcare providers a new glimmer of hope, especially as they have been waiting for scientific progress in this regard for decades.”

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention underscored MoHAP’s commitment to providing therapeutic and psychological services to people with Alzheimer’s disease, especially for the elderly over 65 years old, as they are the high-risk groups. These services include specialised clinics, providing a supportive and stimulating environment for patients, and community rehabilitation, according to news agency WAM.

Aduhelm was previously approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, and its approval by the authorities in the UAE came in accordance with the Fast Track/Accelerate Process system of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, indicated that the UAE is among the world’s fastest countries in terms of granting approvals for innovative drugs. The ministry has an advanced mechanism in licensing and registering medicines in accordance with the best international standards and requirements in pharmacological evaluation, added Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for the Health Regulatory Sector. Dr Amin also noted that that the ministry is proactively working to communicate with international companies for medicine and medical supplies to learn about the latest medical innovations, even if they are under clinical studies, to bring them to the UAE after it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The UAE will open its first dedicated elderly care centre in Dubai. The Vita Elderly Care Complex located in Dubai Healthcare City will offer services for elderly Emirati and expats over the age of 65. Once completed, the Vita Elderly Care Complex with a capacity of 250 beds will offer a range of services including an Outpatient Geriatric Medical Centre, Advanced Nursing Home (Long-term Care), Alzheimer’s Centre, Elderly Day Care Centre, Rehabilitation Facility, Ventilated Care Centre, Home Care Centre and Home Health Monitoring.

Read: UAE to establish country’s first dedicated elderly care centre in Dubai