Sysmex says Japan approves blood test for Alzheimer's marker
22/12/2022 08:30
TOKYO, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Sysmex Corp 4523.T
said on Thursday it had received regulatory approval in Japan
for a blood test to detect amyloid beta in the brain, a
characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
The company developed the test with Japanese drugmaker Eisai
Co 6869.T and gained approval from regulators on Dec. 19, it
said in a statement.
The test kit uses a small amount of the patient's blood to
measure amyloid beta accumulation in the brain, allowing for
earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Sysmex, a maker of medical equipment and clinical tests,
said it was preparing for market introduction as soon as
possible.
Eisai and its U.S. partner Biogen Inc BIIB.O are planning
to seek full approval of their experimental Alzheimer's drug
lecanemab in the United States, Europe and Japan next year.
(Reporting by Rocky Swift
Editing by Mark Potter)
((rocky.swift@thomsonreuters.com;))