China Approves Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

BioArctic AB's partner Eisai announced today that Leqembi® (lecanemab-irmb) has been approved in China as a treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild AD dementia. 

China is the third country to grant marketing approval, following the traditional approval in the United States in July 2023 and Japanese approval in September 2023.

Eisai's preparations for the Chinese launch in the third quarter of 2024 are underway.

Eisai estimates that there are 17 million patients with MCI or mild dementia due to AD in China today, which is expected to increase with the aging of the population. Eisai will distribute the product in China and conduct information provision activities through specialized Medical Representatives.

In addition, BioArctic has the right to commercialize lecanemab in the Nordic region, pending European approval, and Eisai and BioArctic are currently preparing for joint commercialization in the region.