(Yicai) Jan. 17 -- The Chinese arm of Japanese drugmaker Eisai is preparing for a likely July launch for Leqembi, an Alzheimer's treatment co-developed by Eisai and Biogen, its president has reportedly said.

China has approved Leqembi, but the drug must undergo several procedures before marketing, including customs processes and drug inspections, The Paper reported yesterday, citing Feng Yanhui. Eisai is trying to save as much time as possible and hopes to launch the drug earlier than expected, Feng added.

The recommended dosage for Leqembi is 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight once every two weeks, the report said. It will probably sell for about CNY2,508 (USD350) a bottle in China, or around CNY180,000 (USD25,014) for a year's treatment for an adult patient weighing 60 kilograms.

Leqembi has demanding manufacturing requirements and needs a cold chain during transport, Feng added. It will cost a little more amid limited sales at the start of hitting the market, she noted, adding that the drug is mainly produced in the United States and imported into China.

Leqembi was approved in China on Jan. 9 following a small-scale trial lasting nearly three months in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in the country's Hainan province. Its prices at CNY3,328 (USD465) a bottle during the trial.

China has nearly 10 million Alzheimer's patients, the largest and fastest-growing number in the world. There are around 44 million people globally with Alzheimer's, and the figure will likely reach 130 million by 2050 because of aging populations.

Eisai hopes that the innovative drug, with appropriate price cuts in the future, will have a chance to enter China’s national medical insurance catalog, Feng said. The Tokyo-based company is also actively preparing for the drug's commercial insurance program, she noted.

Shanghai Pharmaceutical, a unit of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding, is Leqembi's general import agent in China and is responsible for the drug's distribution across the country. Eisai China carries out the promotional work for the treatment.

Editor: Martin Kadiev