A recently FDA-approved drug to combat dementia has sparked hope for Israeli physicians and the families of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's and similar illnesses. Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, was initially approved for limited use last January but on Thursday expanded the approved use of the drug to include a wider treatment of the mind-wasting illness. In medical trials, it had shown to slow symptoms by some 30%.

"Leqembi is the first amyloid beta-directed antibody to be converted from an accelerated approval to a traditional approval for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug works by reducing amyloid plaques that form in the brain, a defining pathophysiological feature of the disease," the FDA said.

The drug is expected to be available in Israel in the coming weeks after receiving the approval of the Health Ministry although whether it would be included among drugs receiving coverage by health maintenance organizations (HMO) when the panel for approval of drugs next convenes, is still unclear.