Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2021) – The European Medicines Agency (EMA) today delivered an unconscionable blow to Alzheimer’s patients and their families by rejecting the marketing application for the only treatment on the market that modifies the course of Alzheimer’s.

Aduhelm is the only Alzheimer’s treatment to be approved in the United States in nearly two decades. While studies regarding its effectiveness are ongoing, the initial outcomes are promising. Despite that, and the commitment by Aduhelm’s manufacturer, Biogen, to accelerate confirmatory testing by four years, the EMA has unilaterally taken the decision-making process out of patients’ hands and left them high and dry.

“Today the EMA told Europeans ‘no.’ No to an effective treatment, no to patients’ ability to make decisions for themselves, and no to hope,” said George Vradenburg, chair and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “This is a terrible outcome for Alzheimer’s patients; the EMA should be ashamed.”

According to the World Health Organization, dementia is the leading cause of dependency and disability in Europe and the number of cases is expected to double in less than ten years.

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About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s exists to conquer Alzheimer’s disease. We take on the toughest problems; bring all of “Us” together to break down barriers; advocate for research that will speed treatments to market; and drive changes that matter most to people living with the disease. We will not rest until brain-span equals lifespan - for everyone.