Using Subcutaneous Self-Administered Lecanemab for Alzheimer Disease: Robert Przybelski, MD, MS

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“It's very easy for [patients] to use—it's subcutaneous, which they're very pleased to hear. It's not intramuscular, which would be quite uncomfortable to give themselves.”

Ahead of the 18th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference, held December 1-4, 2025, in San Diego, Eisai and Biogen reported in a company update that lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi) is now available in the United States as a subcutaneous maintenance treatment for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia because of Alzheimer disease (AD).¹ For this new formulation, patients who have completed 18 months of intravenous lecanemab-irmb (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) may either continue IV infusions at 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks or transition to the weekly 360 mg subcutaneous injection delivered via the lecanemab-irmb autoinjector.

Approved by the FDA in late of August 2025, the companies noted that autoinjector formulation allows patients and caregivers to administer therapy at home, potentially reducing treatment time and the need for infusion center visits.² In its release, Eisai and Biogen stated that the subcutaneous administration may also decrease health care resource utilization associated with IV maintenance, including infusion preparation and nurse monitoring, and increase capacity for new patients to initiate treatment and streamlining the overall AD care pathway.

In a recent interview, NeurologyLive^® spoke with Robert Przybelski, MD, MS, a professor of geriatrics and gerontology at the University of Wisconsin and one of the first prescribers of the lecanemab-irmb autoinjector, to gain personal and clinical insights. Throughout the conversation, he emphasized the advantages of the self-administered autoinjector, particularly for patients who live in rural areas or those who travel seasonally. Although the therapy is generally well-received and simplifies treatment administration, he noted that proper training may be essential because of the complexity of the injection process. He also highlighted challenges with insurance coverage and expressed optimism about future treatment developments.

Click here to view more coverage of CTAD 2025.

REFERENCES
1. Eisai and Biogen Announce U.S. Availability of LEQEMBI® IQLIK™ (lecanemab-irmb) Subcutaneous Injection Maintenance Dose for Treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease. News release. October 6, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://investors.biogen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/eisai-and-biogen-announce-us-availability-leqembir-iqliktm
2. FDA Approves LEQEMBI® IQLIK™ (lecanemab-irmb) Subcutaneous Injection for Maintenance Dosing for the Treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease. News release. August 29, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://investors.biogen.com/news-releases/news-release-details/eisai-and-biogen-announce-us-availability-leqembir-iqliktm