Leqembi IQLIK Autoinjector Now Available for Early Alzheimer Disease Treatment Initiation
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Leqembi IQLIK autoinjector is now available in the United States for initiation therapy in adults with early Alzheimer disease.
- The subcutaneous autoinjector provides an alternative to intravenous lecanemab dosing from the start of therapy.
- The approved initiation regimen is 500 mg once weekly, administered as 2 consecutive 250-mg injections.
Leqembi IQLIK (lecanemab-irmb; Eisai, Tokyo, Japan; Biogen, Cambridge, MA), a once-weekly subcutaneous autoinjector formulation of Leqembi, is now available in the United States for initiation therapy in adults with early Alzheimer disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD.
The autoinjector offers an alternative to intravenous administration at the start of treatment. For initiation therapy, the approved regimen is 500 mg once weekly, given as 2 consecutive 250-mg injections, with each injection delivered in approximately 15 seconds. Leqembi IQLIK may also be used for maintenance therapy at 360 mg once weekly after 18 months of intravenous or subcutaneous treatment.
What Clinicians Should Know
- Patients may receive Leqembi via intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection with Leqembi IQLIK during initiation or maintenance treatment.
- Patients may switch between intravenous and subcutaneous administration, according to a statement from Eisai and Biogen.
- Brain MRI monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) is required before treatment initiation and at specified time points after therapy begins, as with intravenous lecanemab.
- Patient support resources include an Instructions for Use video, IQLIK Welcome Kit, treatment tracker, demonstration kit, and Leqembi Companion app.
- Leqembi IQLIK will be available through the Leqembi Specialty Pharmacy Network, including CareMed Specialty Pharmacy and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.
Eisai and Biogen stated that the autoinjector may reduce the time and resources associated with infusion-based treatment and allow at-home dosing for eligible patients and care partners. The companies also announced support resources for health care professionals, including electronic health record materials and a Getting Started Guide for therapy initiation.
Source
Eisai and Biogen. Leqembi IQLIK (lecanemab-irmb) autoinjector for initiation of therapy now available in the U.S. for early Alzheimer’s disease. Eisai US. Published August 24, 2026. Accessed August 24, 2026. https://media-us.eisai.com/2026-08-24-LEQEMBI-IQLIK-R-lecanemab-irmb-Autoinjector-for-Initiation-of-Therapy-Now-Available-in-the-U-S-for-Early-Alzheimers-Disease