Eisai (TYO:4523) and Biogen's LEQEMBI(r) Pen, a new under-the-skin (subcutaneous) version of the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab, has been approved in Japan as a new route of administration.
The autoinjector pen allows patients or their care partners to give the injection at home once a week, using two pens totaling 500 mg, instead of receiving intravenous infusions every two weeks at a hospital.
This option offers greater convenience and flexibility, potentially reducing the need for clinic visits and easing the burden on patients, care partners, and healthcare resources, according to a Tokyo bourse filing on Wednesday.
Japan becomes the third country globally to approve the under-the-skin version of LEQEMBI.