A new Alzheimer’s drug has been hailed as a “historic moment” for dementia research following a successful trial.

Pharmaceutical company Eisai reported its phase 3 clinical trial showed its Alzheimer’s drug, lecanemab, was able to slow the rate of decline in people’s memory and thinking as well as function over 18 months, and also helped people with day-to-day activities.

Dr Susan Kohlhaas, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This is a historic moment for dementia research, as this is the first phase 3 trial of an Alzheimer’s drug in a generation to successfully slow cognitive decline. These results show that lecanemab slows the progression of memory and thinking problems in people with early Alzheimer’s, demonstrating a major breakthrough in dementia research.”

The research director highlighted the drug had only been tested for people with early stage Alzheimer’s and would be no “silver bullet”, however, she urged the government’s new Dementia Mission to focus on ensuring the NHS was ready to roll out new licenced therapies as quickly as possible.

Dr Kohlhaas added: “We hope today’s news will spark renewed investment in dementia research across the globe and political leadership to deliver the funding and infrastructure needed to make life-changing new treatments a reality.”

Eisai aims to file for approval in the US before Japan and Europe later next year.