Aducanumab Accelerated Approval Reflects US FDA Flexibility But Raises Doubts About Confirmatory Trial

Biogen/Eisai Alzheimer’s drug wins agency nod on basis of amyloid plaque reduction, a surprising use of the accelerated approval pathway that was not considered by an FDA advisory committee; approval raises feasibility questions about confirmatory trial and daunting prospect of market withdrawal if studies fail to verify clinical benefit.