LEQEMBI® Included in China’s Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List, Expanding Access to Early Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
TOKYO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 08, 2025 – Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. today announced that anti-Aβ protofibril antibody LEQEMBI® (乐意保®, lecanemab) has been included in the “Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List” recently introduced by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) of China.This inclusion represents a notable step towards broadening access to early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) treatment within China.
The Commercial insurance Innovative Drug List is a result of new Chinese government policies designed to support the development and accessibility of innovative medicines. It aims to bridge the gap in coverage between the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and innovative therapies addressing substantial unmet medical needs. Commercial insurance companies will now negotiate coverage details with pharmaceutical companies and develop insurance products centered around the listed medicines, with the list taking effect on January 1, 2026.
Eisai estimates that 17 million patients in China had Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to AD in 2024,a number projected to rise alongside the country’s aging population.
LEQEMBI was launched in China in June 2024 and is currently available in the private market.
Eisai leads global LEQEMBI development and regulatory submissions,with co-commercialization and co-promotion handled by Eisai and Biogen,with Eisai holding final decision-making authority. Eisai will manage product distribution in China and provide information through specialized Medical Representatives.
Protofibrils are believed to be the most toxic form of Aβ, playing a primary role in the cognitive decline associated with AD.1 They cause injury to neurons, impacting cognitive function through multiple mechanisms, including the development of insoluble Aβ plaques and direct damage to brain cell membranes and connections. Reducing protofibrils may prevent AD progression by reducing neuronal damage and cognitive dysfunction.2
1, 2 Source citations not provided in original text.
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Eisai Announces Positive Phase 3 Study Results of Lenvima® (lenvatinib) Combination Therapy for Endometrial Carcinoma
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.- May 13, 2024 – Eisai Inc. today announced positive topline results from a Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Lenvima® (lenvatinib) in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR).The study met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).
These results will be presented at an upcoming medical conference and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines agency (EMA).
“Eisai is committed to addressing the significant unmet medical needs of patients with endometrial carcinoma,” said Ivan Cheung, Chairman and CEO of Eisai Inc. “These positive Phase 3 results reinforce our dedication to developing innovative therapies and improving outcomes for those affected by this challenging disease.”
Lenvima is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that works by blocking the activity of several proteins involved in tumor growth and blood vessel formation.Pembrolizumab is an anti-PD-1 antibody that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
Eisai’s human health care (hhc) concept guides the company’s efforts to deliver social good by alleviating health-related anxieties and reducing health disparities. With a global network of research and development, manufacturing, and marketing operations, Eisai focuses on creating innovative products for diseases with high unmet needs, especially in Neurology and Oncology.
The company also actively contributes to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.3, through collaborations with global partners.
For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.) and connect on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.Note that the website and social media channels are primarily intended for audiences outside of the UK and Europe. For UK and European audiences, please visit www.eisai.eu and Eisai EMEA.
Biogen Receives Approval in China for Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab
Cambridge, MA – december 8, 2023 – Biogen announced today that lecanemab, its Alzheimer’s disease treatment developed with Eisai, has received approval in China.The drug will be marketed as 乐意保 (Lèyìbǎo) in the country.
Lecanemab is designed to remove amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain. Clinical trials have shown it can slow the decline of cognitive function in some patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. This approval marks a significant step in providing a new treatment option for the growing number of people affected by Alzheimer’s in China.
“We are excited to bring lecanemab to people in China living with early Alzheimer’s disease,” said Priya Singhal, Head of Global Neurology at Biogen. “This approval reflects our commitment to addressing the urgent need for innovative therapies for this devastating disease worldwide.”
The approval was based on data from the phase 3 Clarity AD clinical trial. More information about the trial and lecanemab can be found on YouTube.
biogen safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the potential effects of lecanemab; the possible benefits, safety, and effectiveness of lecanemab (sold as 乐意保 in China); potential discussions, submissions, and approvals with regulatory bodies and when these might happen; the causes and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; the expected benefits and potential of biogen’s work with Eisai; the potential of Biogen’s business and future drugs, including lecanemab; and the risks and uncertainties involved in developing and selling drugs. These statements may include words like “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “coudl,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” and similar terms.developing and selling drugs carries a high risk, and most research projects don’t lead to a marketable product. Early study results may not predict later,larger study results,and don’t guarantee approval. Please don’t rely too much on these statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on what Biogen’s management currently believes and knows. Because of their nature, we can’t guarantee that any of the outcomes in these statements will happen. we warn that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those stated or implied, including uncertainty about our long-term success in developing, licensing, or acquiring new drugs or uses for existing drugs; expectations, plans, and timing related to product approvals, sales, pricing, growth, reimbursement, and launch of our products; and the potential
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