KUWAIT CITY, Sept 25: Today, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai announced the approval of Likembe by Japan's Ministry of Health for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Likembe was jointly developed by Eisai in Japan and Biogen in the United States, reports Al-Rai daily.

This development follows a recommendation for the drug's approval made by a committee associated with the Ministry of Health in August, subsequent to its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in July, as reported by Al-Rai daily.

This drug stands as the initial treatment with verified efficacy in slowing the advancement of the disease during its early stages.

However, US regulatory authorities mandated a warning label on the drug to caution about the risk of severe brain swelling, aligning with other Alzheimer's drugs in a similar category.

An Eisai CEO mentioned in August that the company anticipated commencing the marketing of Likembe in Japan roughly 60 days after obtaining regulatory clearance.