New Alzheimer's Drug Lecanemab Set for July Launch in China with Annual Cost of Approximately RMB 180,000

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry Dynamics】Alzheimer's disease (AD), commonly known as "senile dementia," mainly manifests as dementia, which is the progressive impairment of memory, reasoning, and social functions, eventually leading to the complete loss of learning, memory, and the ability to live independently. This places a significant burden on patients' families. Statistics show that among people aged 60 and above in China, there are 9.83 million AD patients and 38.77 million patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Reports predict that by 2025, the number of Alzheimer's patients will reach 15.5 million, and by 2030, it will further increase to 19.5 million.
 

As the aging population intensifies, it is urgent to improve the early diagnosis rate of AD. According to a research report released by Huafu Securities Research Institute, in 2019, 71.4% of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in China had never sought medical treatment for dementia, and 97.2% of patients with mild cognitive impairment did not receive medical care. Among those who sought treatment, about 80% were moderate to severe cases. With the continuous development of early detection technologies, the industry expects a vast market size for AD diagnosis. Data shows that the Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis market in China was approximately 21.75 billion yuan in 2020, and it is expected to reach 26.02 billion yuan by 2025.
 

At the same time, in response to the huge unmet treatment needs of patients, pharmaceutical companies in and outside China are also making continuous efforts. Not long ago, the National Medical Products Administration recently approved Eisai's new AD drug "Leqembi Injection" for marketing, with the indication for treating early Alzheimer's disease.
 

It is reported that the injection of Lecanemab is expected to be launched in China in July 2024. After its launch, the estimated price will be 2,508 yuan, meaning the monthly treatment cost for a patient weighing 60 kilograms will be approximately 15,000 yuan, with an annual treatment cost of about 180,000 yuan.
 

Eisai Co., Ltd. revealed that by early next year, an estimated 1,500 patients in China are expected to be among the first group to use this treatment drug. With breakthrough improvements in Alzheimer's disease diagnostic methods, the drug is anticipated to have significant potential in China by 2025.
 

Moreover, according to Eisai Co., Ltd.'s current public information, the company is evaluating the possibility of including this drug in medical insurance.
 

In addition to Eisai's new Alzheimer's drug expected to launch in China in the second half of this year, Eli Lilly is also developing a similar treatment called Donanemab. This Aβ amyloid-targeting drug is considered to have the potential to surpass Lecanemab.
 

According to multiple clinical data of Donanemab published by Eli Lilly in May 2023, Donanemab slowed the rate of cognitive and functional decline in certain patients with early Alzheimer's disease by 35% over 18 months, surpassing Lecanemab's 27%. Moreover, compared to Lecanemab’s dosing frequency of once every two weeks, Donanemab is administered once every four weeks. However, the side effects of Donanemab are more pronounced. On October 31, 2023, Eli Lilly submitted a new drug marketing application to the U.S. FDA and China's NMPA, which has been accepted.
 

In addition to multinational pharmaceutical companies, a large number of pharmaceutical companies in China have also entered the AD track. According to the data from the Drug Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform, as of January 9, 2024, there are 91 clinical trials related to Alzheimer's disease drugs in China. Currently, domestic pharmaceutical companies such as Tonghua Jinma, Dongcheng Pharmaceutical, and Hengrui Medicine are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease drugs.
 

Among them, Tonghua Jinma announced in September 2023 that the Phase III clinical trial of its cholinesterase inhibitor "Succinic Octahydroaminoacridine Tablet" had reached the primary clinical endpoint, with positive results. On February 22, 2024, the company stated on the investor interaction platform that the Succinic Octahydroaminoacridine Tablet developed by the company is mainly used for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
 

SHR-1707, a humanized anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody (IgG1 subtype) independently developed by Hengrui Medicine, entered Phase Ib clinical trials in March 2022. At the 2023 AAIC, SHR-1707 was featured in two poster presentations, showcasing the results of the Phase I single ascending dose study completed in healthy individuals in China and Australia, as well as the design of the ongoing Phase Ib multiple ascending dose study in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in China. The overall performance has been impressive.
 

As more pharmaceutical companies focus on the AD treatment field, there is hope to bring more new treatment options to Alzheimer's patients in the future. It is also expected that more AD drugs will be covered by medical insurance, reducing the burden on patients' families and improving the quality of life for patients.
 

Disclaimer: In any case, the information or opinions expressed in this article do not constitute investment advice to any person.