China clears a weekly at-home injection for early Alzheimer disease

China’s National Medical Products Administration approved a subcutaneous autoinjector formulation of lecanemab on 3 September 2026 as an initiation treatment for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease, or mild Alzheimer’s dementia. Eisai and Biogen, who market the drug as Leqembi, say the regimen is 500 mg once weekly, given as two consecutive 250 mg injections, and that patients can administer it themselves at home.

That is the change. The intravenous form of an anti-amyloid antibody is a fortnightly appointment at an infusion centre with staff and a chair, which for a patient with early dementia usually means a carer, a journey and a day. A weekly injection at the kitchen table removes the journey without removing the drug.

China is the second country to approve the subcutaneous form, after the United States in July 2026. The companies plan to launch it during Eisai’s financial year ending 31 March 2027.

What the approval does not change is the drug. Lecanemab clears amyloid and slows decline modestly; it does not stop or reverse the disease, and it carries a known risk of brain swelling and microbleeds that requires monitoring. Easier delivery widens who can realistically take a treatment whose benefit remains a matter of degree.