Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>On July 2, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eli-lilly-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19419:1" rel="noopener">Eli Lilly &amp; Co (LLY US)</a> has received FDA approval for its Alzheimer’s disease drug Kisunla, which will compete head-on-head with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a>'s Leqembi.  </li>
<li>Efficacy and indications of both the drugs are similar. Price comparison is tricky. However, Kisunla can be stopped when amyloid plaques are removed, which is not the case for Leqembi.</li>
<li>Eisai is not expected to face immediate competition and should comfortably meet Leqembi FY25 revenue target of ¥56.5B, including ¥43.5B from the U.S. Recently, Leqembi has been launched in China.</li>
</ul>


On July 2, Eli Lilly &amp; Co (LLY US) has received FDA approval for its Alzheimer’s disease drug Kisunla, which will compete head-on-head with Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)'s Leqembi.  
Efficacy and indications of both the drugs are similar. Price comparison is tricky. However, Kisunla can be stopped when amyloid plaques are removed, which is not the case for Leqembi.
Eisai is not expected to face immediate competition and should comfortably meet Leqembi FY25 revenue target of ¥56.5B, including ¥43.5B from the U.S. Recently, Leqembi has been launched in China.


Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): New Competition Is Coming for Alzheimer’s Disease Drug; No Immediate Threat

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> has guided for FY25 Leqembi revenue of ¥56.5B (~$366M), with ¥43.5B from U.S., and ¥10.0B from Japan. In FY24, Leqembi reported worldwide revenue of ¥4.2B.</li>
<li>Leqembi is expected to grow significantly due to increase in prescriptions following the progress in the development of AD diagnosis and treatment pathways in the U.S. and Japan.</li>
<li>The current rally can be short lived, as the competitor drug is expected to get FDA approval in 3Q24.</li>
</ul>



Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) has guided for FY25 Leqembi revenue of ¥56.5B (~$366M), with ¥43.5B from U.S., and ¥10.0B from Japan. In FY24, Leqembi reported worldwide revenue of ¥4.2B.
Leqembi is expected to grow significantly due to increase in prescriptions following the progress in the development of AD diagnosis and treatment pathways in the U.S. and Japan.
The current rally can be short lived, as the competitor drug is expected to get FDA approval in 3Q24.


Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Leqembi Is Gathering Momentum; Imminent Competition May Spoil the Party

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> has come out with ambitious revenue target for Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi with new estimates for global eligible patient population and potential indication expansions.</li>
<li>By FY27, Eisai expects Leqembi can generate revenue of ¥290B (~$2B) worldwide. Leqembi revenue can potentially ballooned to a whopping ¥1.6T (~$10.8B) by FY33, according to the company.</li>
<li>Through January, Eisai could reach just 2,000 patients in the U.S. versus target of 10K patients by March. The sluggish progress of Leqembi makes Eisai’s target difficult to achieve.</li>
</ul>



Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) has come out with ambitious revenue target for Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi with new estimates for global eligible patient population and potential indication expansions.
By FY27, Eisai expects Leqembi can generate revenue of ¥290B (~$2B) worldwide. Leqembi revenue can potentially ballooned to a whopping ¥1.6T (~$10.8B) by FY33, according to the company.
Through January, Eisai could reach just 2,000 patients in the U.S. versus target of 10K patients by March. The sluggish progress of Leqembi makes Eisai’s target difficult to achieve.


Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Despite Sluggish Launch, Ambitious Long-Term Target Set for Leqembi

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eisai-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21001:1" rel="noopener">Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)</a> shares corrected more than 60% from highs over the disappointment from Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi. During H1FY24, Leqembi reported revenue of just ¥400M ($3M).</li>
<li>With approximately 40% revenue contribution, anti-cancer drug Lenvima is the top selling drug of Eisai. In the U.S., Lenvima patent protection will start to expire in US in October 2025.</li>
<li>In December, Eisai has submitted a marketing authorization application in Japan for tasurgratinib for biliary tract cancer. If approved, tasurgratinob will be a late entrant in a crowded market.</li>
</ul>



Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP) shares corrected more than 60% from highs over the disappointment from Alzheimer’s disease drug Leqembi. During H1FY24, Leqembi reported revenue of just ¥400M ($3M).
With approximately 40% revenue contribution, anti-cancer drug Lenvima is the top selling drug of Eisai. In the U.S., Lenvima patent protection will start to expire in US in October 2025.
In December, Eisai has submitted a marketing authorization application in Japan for tasurgratinib for biliary tract cancer. If approved, tasurgratinob will be a late entrant in a crowded market.


Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP): Why Performance Reversal Is Not Expected in Near-Term

<ul>
<li>During 1H24 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/otsuka-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12292:1" rel="noopener">Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP)</a> reported 18% YoY growth in revenue from pharmaceuticals segment to ¥767B, mainly driven by a 27% YoY growth in Rexulti revenue to ¥122B.</li>
<li>The company has revised upward 2024 revenue and business profit, while reduced 2024 operating and net profit guidance due to the recording of an impairment loss.</li>
<li>Otsuka is acquiring Jnana Therapeutics for $800M. The transaction includes JNT-517, a potential first-in-class oral treatment for Phenylketonuria, a rare inherited metabolic disorder. The acquisition will close in 3Q24.</li>
</ul>


During 1H24 Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP) reported 18% YoY growth in revenue from pharmaceuticals segment to ¥767B, mainly driven by a 27% YoY growth in Rexulti revenue to ¥122B.
The company has revised upward 2024 revenue and business profit, while reduced 2024 operating and net profit guidance due to the recording of an impairment loss.
Otsuka is acquiring Jnana Therapeutics for $800M. The transaction includes JNT-517, a potential first-in-class oral treatment for Phenylketonuria, a rare inherited metabolic disorder. The acquisition will close in 3Q24.


Otsuka Holdings (4578 JP): H1 Revenue Rises 17% on Rexulti; Picks Up Jnana Therapeutics for $800M

Japan

Eisai Co., Ltd. produces prescription drugs and medical equipment and sells mainly to sales agents and subsidiaries.  Through its subsidiary, Sanko Junyaku, the Company produces and sells diagnostic drugs.  Eisai also markets its products through related companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.  The Company also manufactures and sells foods, livestock feeds, chemical, and agrochemicals.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Eisai Co Ltd (4523 JP)