Maria Stricker Lindroos, 52, from Sweden, has become the first person in the country to receive a dose of Leqembi, a disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatment developed by BioArctic and Eisai. After traveling to Finland for six months to access the therapy denied by Swedish authorities, she now receives her infusions at a private clinic in Stockholm, funding the million-kronor cost through personal loans and a GoFundMe campaign.
Sweden’s First Private Leqembi Patient
Last week, Maria Stricker Lindroos received her fourteenth bi-weekly dose of Leqembi, marking a milestone as the first person in Sweden to undergo the treatment domestically. For the first six months, Lindroos and her family had to travel to Finland every two weeks because no Swedish clinic offered the therapy, as reported by TV4 Nyheterna. Now, she cycles to the private clinic Executive Health in Stockholm for her infusions.
“It feels great,” Lindroos told TV4 Nyheterna. “I’m glad I took this chance to get disease-modifying medicine. Not everyone has that opportunity, so I feel fortunate.”
Lindroos was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease in 2025 after medical investigations at a cognitive clinic in Solna. Having watched her father suffer from Alzheimer’s after his diagnosis at age 68, she recognized the early symptoms of concentration and memory loss, prompting her to seek medical evaluation.
Clinical Efficacy and Treatment Risks
Unlike previous Alzheimer’s medications that only relieve symptoms, Leqembi attacks the disease process in the brain.
However, the therapy does not cure the condition and carries notable risks. Leqembi can cause side effects, including brain swelling and bleeding. The treatment is only suitable for those in an early stage of the disease.
The financial barrier to entry remains high. Lindroos and her family estimate the total cost of the private treatment will exceed one million Swedish kronor. To finance the therapy, Lindroos took out a personal loan and her family launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding page. Her sister, Annika Granat, emphasized the motivation behind the financial strain: Lindroos has three children, including a 15-year-old daughter. Granat pointed out that securing another ten good years provides a long memory for her youngest child to carry with her of her mother.
NT-Rådet Rejection and Expert Criticism
In April, NT-rådet—the regions’ expert group for new medicines—issued a formal recommendation advising against the use of Leqembi. In correspondence with TV4 Nyheterna, the expert group stated that available studies indicate the benefit is “small and uncertain,” while the cost is too high in relation to it. NT-rådet noted that price negotiations with the pharmaceutical company failed to yield sufficient results.
The decision drew sharp criticism from medical experts and patient advocates. Professor Zetterberg called the rejection a “very unfortunate decision” based on “incorrect grounds,” expressing confidence that the issue will resolve with time as the medicine’s effectiveness is obvious in the rest of the world. Granat characterized the situation as “extremely unfair,” warning that Leqembi risks becoming a “rich person’s treatment.”
In its official response to media inquiries, NT-rådet maintained that its recommendation was based on a combined assessment of patient benefit, evidence, cost-effectiveness, and the prioritization principles that apply in Swedish health and medical care. The agency clarified that it does not take a position on individual patients’ choice of care or treatment. However, NT-rådet acknowledged that a new assessment could become relevant if new relevant data is added, pointing specifically to an ongoing European Medicines Agency (EMA) evaluation regarding less frequent dosing that could affect cost-effectiveness.
For Lindroos, waiting for bureaucratic policy shifts is not a viable strategy. “I want to have time to watch my children grow up, ten more good years and I’m satisfied,” she said.
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