Asia Tech Wire (July 31) -- Three-year data from Japanese drugmaker Eisai show that continuous medication is more effective against Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The benefits of Eisai and Biogen's drug Leqembi for patients with early-stage AD increased with time of use and no new safety concerns emerged, according to three years of data presented Tuesday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC).

The latest study found that after three years of Leqembi use, the drug slowed cognitive decline by 31% compared to similar patients who did not receive treatment, better than 18 months of clinical data (27%).

Eisai and Biogen have obtained marketing approval for Leqembi in the UU.S., Japan, China, South Korea and other countries.

The companies sought the drug in Europe for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment caused by AD and mild dementia due to AD.

However, at the end of July, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it gave a non-recommendation on Leqembi's marketing authorization application.