Japan prioritizing review of Alzheimer’s drug developed by Eisai, Biogen

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has granted priority review status to the Alzheimer’s disease drug, lecanemab, of Japanese drugmaker Eisai Co Ltd and U.S. biotech firm Biogen Inc.

Once the priority status has been granted, the target total review period is shortened.

Lecanemab was recently granted accelerated approval in the US.

A late-stage study showed the drug reduced the rate of cognitive decline in patients with early Alzheimer’s by 27 percent, compared with a placebo.

Similar experimental medications have largely all failed in the past.

Eisai also requested complete U.S. approval of the medication earlier this month. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for patients with neurodegenerative disease in its early stages.