Japanese Ministry of Health Panel Approves Alzheimer's Drug Lecanemab for Manufacturing and Sale

According to Kyodo News, the expert panel of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved on August 21 the manufacturing and sales of "Lecanemab," an Alzheimer's disease treatment drug co-developed by Japanese pharmaceutical giant Eisai and U.S.-based Biogen. The Ministry is expected to grant final approval in about a month. The treatment could be covered by insurance as early as this year and will become the first dementia treatment to inhibit disease progression by removing causative substances.