Eisai and Biogen launch Alzheimer's drug Leqembi in China

BioArctic AB

28/06/2024 01:48

June 28 (Reuters) - Eisai  4523.T  and Biogen  BIOAb.ST 
have launched their Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi in China, the
third country after the United States and Japan, the companies
said on Friday. 
    Leqembi, which works by removing a toxic protein called beta
amyloid from the brain, is the first Alzheimer's treatment
proven to alter the course of the fatal, brain-wasting disease.
    The drug will first be launched in the private market at
2,508 yuan ($345.04) for a 200 mg vial, the companies said in a
statement.
    Eisai has also collaborated with a major Chinese medical
insurance firm to plan partial coverage of the drug cost, the
companies said without naming the insurer. 
    China approved the treatment in January after a standard
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last July.
    More convenient Alzheimer's blood tests expected to be ready
by 2025 could help Eisai reach a bigger share of China's
estimated 17 million people with early-stage disease, a company
spokesperson had told Reuters after approval in China.

($1 = 7.2688 Chinese yuan)

 (Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu
Sahu)
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