Leqembi included in China's commercial insurance innovative drug list

Core Viewpoint - BioArctic AB's partner Eisai announced that Leqembi® (lecanemab) has been included in China's "Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List," enhancing access to early Alzheimer's Disease treatment in China [1][2]. Group 1: Drug Inclusion and Impact - The inclusion of Leqembi in the Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List is a significant step towards improving access to innovative medicines for Alzheimer's Disease in China [2]. - The list aims to bridge the coverage gap between the National Reimbursement Drug List and innovative medicines addressing significant unmet needs [2]. Group 2: Market Context and Patient Demographics - Eisai estimates that there were 17 million patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease in China in 2024, a number expected to rise with the aging population [3]. - Leqembi was launched in China in June 2024 and has been delivered in the private market [3]. Group 3: Collaboration and Development - Leqembi is a product of a long-term collaboration between BioArctic and Eisai, with BioArctic originally developing the antibody based on Professor Lars Lannfelt's discovery [4]. - Eisai is responsible for the clinical development, market approval applications, and commercialization of Leqembi, while BioArctic retains commercialization rights in the Nordic region [4][9]. Group 4: Regulatory Status and Clinical Trials - Lecanemab is approved in 51 countries and is under regulatory review in 9 countries, with various dosing regimens approved in multiple regions [7]. - Ongoing clinical studies, such as the AHEAD 3-45 study, are exploring lecanemab's efficacy in preclinical Alzheimer's disease [8]. Group 5: Company Overview - BioArctic AB is a Swedish biopharma company focused on innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease [10]. - The company has a broad research portfolio, including projects against Parkinson's disease and ALS, utilizing proprietary technology to enhance treatment efficacy [10].