Japan's Eisai Pharmaceutical Sales Forecast Slashed by 25%! Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi Faces Challenges

Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai has significantly lowered its sales forecast for its Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi, predicting a 25% reduction in sales in fiscal year 2024.

The company revised its fiscal 2024 sales forecast for Leqembi to 42.5 billion yen ($278.3 million) from 56.5 billion yen ($370 million) previously, a reduction of nearly $100 million. This adjustment is mainly due to lower sales expectations in the US market. The US market, which was expected to contribute 77% of Leqembi's full-year sales, or about 43.5 billion yen (about $278.3 million), is now expected to decrease to 26.5 billion yen (about $173.3 million).

Weaker-than-expected sales in the U.S. market is one of the main factors for Eisai to lower its sales forecast. Although the number of patients has gradually increased since Leqembi was fully approved, there are still many challenges in advancing sales. As of Oct. 24, the number of patients in the U.S. for Leqembi had reached about 9,000, compared with 700 for Lilly's Kisunla. Although Kisunla was approved later than Leqembi, its market performance also reflects competitive pressures.

To mitigate the impact of declining sales, Eisai expects to achieve significant sales growth in the second half of the year. According to the latest financial report, Leqembi has achieved 16.3 billion yen (about $106.9 million) in sales since the start of the 2024 fiscal year, which means that 161% growth is needed in the second half of the year to reach the new sales target.