Cost‐effectiveness of lecanemab for early Alzheimer's disease in China
Xingguang Zhao, Mingsong Xu, Hualin Chen, Zhixiang Lei, Qun Yu, Jun Liu, Wang LiaoAbstract
BACKGROUND
Although lecanemab has demonstrated clinical efficacy in early Alzheimer's disease (AD), its cost‐effectiveness in China remains uncertain. This study evaluated the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of lecanemab in Chinese patients from a societal perspective and estimated its value‐based price (VBP).
METHODS
A Markov state transition model based on Chinese real‐world data was developed to compare the long‐term health progression and economic outcomes of lecanemab combined with standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone.
RESULTS
Compared to SoC alone, the lecanemab combination therapy gained an additional 1.2432 Quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) at an incremental cost of 463,228 Chinese yuan (CNY), resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 372,609 CNY/QALY (≈ 52,783 USD/QALY). To achieve cost‐effectiveness within the willingness‐to‐pay threshold, the price of a single vial of lecanemab must be reduced by at least 18.0%.
DISCUSSION
Lecanemab can provide health benefits to Chinese patients with early AD, but it is not cost‐effective under the current pricing system.