China has approved Eli Lilly’s Kisunla, marking another milestone in global efforts to address Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment, designed to slow memory decline and clear brain plaques, offers early-stage patients a unique dosing approach and new hope for managing the disease.
China Approves Kisunla as a New Alzheimer's Treatment Option
After Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi were approved in January, Eli Lilly said late Tuesday that their treatment for early Alzheimer's has been approved by China's medical authorities, giving patients another alternative, Reuters reports.
According to a statement from Lilly, the medication, which is marketed under the trade name Kisunla, has been approved in four key markets: the US, Japan, and the UK. The latest addition to this list is China.
In the same way as Leqembi removes beta-amyloid from the brain, Lilly's Kisunla does the same.
Kisunla Shows Promising Results in Cognitive Decline
Kisunla shown a 29% reduction in the development of cognitive impairments as compared to a placebo in a large, late-stage experiment. Although most occurrences were moderate, it did induce brain edema in approximately 25% of patients and brain bleeding in approximately 33%.
In the United States, the prescribing label for Kisunla bears the FDA's most severe "boxed" safety warning, which, like Leqembi, warns of the possibility of fatal brain enlargement and hemorrhage.
Gradual Dosing and Finite Treatment Benefit Kisunla Users
However, the business reported that the number of patients having potentially significant brain swelling was reduced when Kisunla was started on a more gradual dose schedule.
Another advantage of Kisunla over Leqembi is its finite dosage, which lets patients discontinue treatment once brain scans reveal no more amyloid plaques.
The medicines authority of the European Union is presently evaluating the treatment. In July, the body decided against using Leqembi because the potential for severe brain swelling was not worth the minimal benefit in preventing cognitive loss, Investing.com shares.
Alzheimer’s Drives Majority of Dementia Cases Globally
The World Health Organization reports that between sixty percent and seventy percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease.


Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data
BOJ May Raise Japan Growth Forecast While Keeping Focus on Inflation Risks
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields
Gordie Howe Bridge to Open July 27 After U.S.-Canada Reach Toll Revenue Agreement
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage
EU Weighs New Trade Restrictions on Israeli West Bank Settlements
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts
Fed Reaffirms 2% Inflation Goal, Vows Forceful Action to Anchor Price Expectations
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated
Oil Prices Jump as U.S.-Iran Conflict and Strait of Hormuz Tensions Shake Global Markets
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 



