Leqembi for early Alzheimer's treatment launched in India after CDSCO nod
Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai has launched Leqembi in India following approval from the CDSCO for the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This therapy is the first disease-modifying treatment available in the country for patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.
Why it matters
The introduction of this therapy addresses a significant public health challenge in India, where the number of dementia patients is projected to double by 2036 due to an aging population.
Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai on Monday announced the launch of Leqembi (lecanemab) in India for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease after procuring marketing authorisation from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The company said Leqembi is indicated for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild dementia due to early Alzheimer's disease, marking the introduction of the country's first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for the condition.
The launch comes amid a growing dementia burden in India, driven by an ageing population, late diagnosis and limited awareness.
According to estimates cited in the AIIMS-USC LASI study, about 8.8 million Indians aged 60 years and above were living with dementia in 2023, with prevalence estimated at 7.4 per cent. The number is projected to nearly double by 2036.
Leqembi is a humanised monoclonal antibody that selectively targets aggregated amyloid-beta, enabling its clearance while reducing further deposition, the statement said.
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