New Alzheimer Drugs Lecanemab and Donanemab Slow Cognitive Decline
- Leqembi (Lecanemab) has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), making it the first disease-modifying therapy available for early-stage Alzheimer's disease patients in India, according...
- The economic framework surrounding the rollout involves specific pricing structures and weight-based dosage calculations.
- The introduction of these therapies arrives amid a significant rise in neurological disorders across South Asia.
Leqembi (Lecanemab) has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), making it the first disease-modifying therapy available for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease patients in India, according to reports published in August 2026. The rollout by pharmaceutical company Eisai follows similar international approvals and expands neurological care options as demographic pressures mount across the country. The therapy is specifically indicated for patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Before treatment can begin, the protocol requires mandatory biomarker testing to confirm the presence of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain, which serve as the primary target for the monoclonal antibody.
Treatment Costs and Global Market Presence
The economic framework surrounding the rollout involves specific pricing structures and weight-based dosage calculations. Manufacturer Eisai noted that the drug is now accessible in 53 countries worldwide. Global sales figures reflect this expansion, reaching $554 million for the 2025 fiscal year, followed by $352 million in the first half of 2026. To evaluate safety and efficacy under local clinical conditions, Eisai plans to conduct a Phase IV study in India. Meanwhile, the drugmaker faces active market competition. Eli Lilly introduced its competing Alzheimer’s treatment, donanemab—marketed under names such as Kisunla and Lormazi—in May 2026. Data from Phase 3 trials for Kisunla showed a 35% slower rate of clinical progression, with pricing set at approximately ₹97,000 per vial and global sales for that product reaching $124 million in the first quarter of 2026.
Demographic Context and Rising Dementia Rates
The introduction of these therapies arrives amid a significant rise in neurological disorders across South Asia. Data from 2023 indicates that roughly 8.8 million individuals aged 60 and older suffered from dementia in India, yielding a prevalence rate of 7.4%.