Eisai reboots search for blockbuster Alzheimer's drug

Failure to strike gold with Aduhelm prompts renewed focus on successor

20220316N Eisai

Eisai has been the only Japanese pharmaceutical company with a heavy focus on neurocognitive disorders. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

KENYA AKAMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japanese pharmaceutical group Eisai has essentially given up on a prospective blockbuster Alzheimer's disease drug and will instead focus resources on developing a follow-up offering.

Eisai had expected Aduhelm to generate more than 100 billion yen ($846 million) in annual revenue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted conditional approval to the drug in June 2021.

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