New Alzheimer's Drug Leeyebao to Debut in China

As China grapples with its fast-aging population, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has surfaced as a critical public health issue. The country now leads the world in the number of AD patients, with nearly 10 million individuals affected. This figure is expected to rise, imposing a significant burden on patients, their families, and society at large.

There is a beacon of hope on the horizon with the introduction of a pioneering AD treatment drug. In January 2024, the China National Medical Products Administration approved the marketing of Lencaneikumab Injection, branded as Leeyebao, developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. This new drug targets patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, aiming to provide an effective treatment option.

Leeyebao is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to reduce amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels in the brain, thereby hindering the progression of AD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that patients treated with Leeyebao showed notable cognitive improvements compared to those who received a placebo.

The affordability of Leeyebao is also a point of interest. Takeda China has set the price at 2,508 yuan per bottle (200 mg/bottle), which is on par with prices in developed countries like the United States and Japan. For a patient weighing around 60 kg, the cost of a single dose is approximately 7,500 yuan, translating to an annual treatment cost of about 180,000 yuan.

The introduction of Leeyebao is anticipated to significantly enhance the treatment landscape for AD patients in China. Experts believe this new drug offers an effective way to delay disease progression in patients with mild AD and gives new hope to those with moderate to severe conditions. As more innovative AD treatments become available, the diagnostic and therapeutic standards for AD patients in China are expected to improve, offering them better medical services.