Eisai and Biogen Launch LEQEMBI for Alzheimer's in China

Eisai and Biogen have announced the introduction of LEQEMBI (lecanemab) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in China. This treatment received approval in January 2024 for addressing mild cognitive impairment due to AD and mild AD dementia. With this approval, China becomes the third country to offer LEQEMBI, following its introduction in the United States and Japan.

LEQEMBI is a monoclonal antibody specifically designed to target and reduce amyloid-beta aggregates in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These aggregates contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of AD, and LEQEMBI is engineered to bind to both soluble and insoluble forms of amyloid-beta. It stands out as the only approved treatment that has demonstrated efficacy in slowing the progression of the disease by targeting these aggregates.

Eisai is responsible for the distribution of LEQEMBI in China and is actively involved in increasing awareness and developing diagnostic pathways for early AD detection. Their strategy involves partnerships with health insurance companies, health check-up providers, and nursing homes to enhance disease awareness and promote early screening. Additionally, Eisai is pioneering the use of blood biomarkers for a more definitive early diagnosis of AD.

Initially, LEQEMBI will be available in China’s private healthcare market. Eisai leads the global development and regulatory submissions for LEQEMBI, while both Eisai and Biogen are involved in co-commercialization and promotional activities. However, final decision-making authority regarding LEQEMBI rests with Eisai.

The approval for LEQEMBI in the United States was based on results from Eisai’s Phase III Clarity AD trial. This trial successfully met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a 27% reduction in clinical decline on the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) at 18 months compared to a placebo. This significant result underscores the efficacy of LEQEMBI in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, offering a new therapeutic option for patients experiencing mild cognitive impairment due to AD and mild AD dementia.