Eisai and Biogen Launch LEQEMBI® (Lecanemab) for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Eisai and Biogen have announced the launch of LEQEMBI® (lecanemab), a monoclonal antibody targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates, in South Korea.
This follows approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in May 2024 for use in adults with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
LEQEMBI is designed to bind to soluble Aβ protofibrils and insoluble Aβ fibrils, which are major components of amyloid plaques in the brain. By reducing both forms of Aβ aggregates, the treatment slows disease progression, including cognitive and functional decline. It is the first approved therapy to demonstrate this mechanism of action.
In South Korea, approximately 900,000 people were estimated to have dementia in 2021, with one in ten individuals over the age of 65 affected. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70% of all dementia cases.
The economic burden of dementia care is significant, with average annual costs per patient reaching 21.1 million South Korean Won (KRW), increasing to 33.1 million KRW for those with severe dementia.
Eisai Korea Inc. will handle the distribution and provide support for the product locally. The company has long been active in promoting dementia awareness and fostering early diagnosis and treatment.
Their initiatives involve collaborations with healthcare professionals, patient groups, and diagnostic companies to build a comprehensive dementia care ecosystem in South Korea.
Initially, LEQEMBI will be available in the private market, supported by a Patient Assistance Program to enhance accessibility for patients.
This move aims to benefit not only individuals with Alzheimer’s disease but also their families and the broader South Korean healthcare system.
Protofibrils, targeted by lecanemab, are considered highly toxic and contribute significantly to brain damage and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
By reducing protofibril levels, the treatment may help prevent further neurological damage and slow disease progression.
Source: eisai.com
