TOKYO, March 7 (Reuters) - Japanese drugmaker Eisai ( ESALF )

on Thursday said the distribution of its Alzheimer's

drug Leqembi in the United States has proceeded slower than it

expected.

The company expects to reach 90% of its target for

integrated delivery networks (IDNs) used to administer the drug

in the U.S. in the fiscal year ending this month, Chief

Executive Haruo Naito said.

"In the United States, in comparison to what we have

expected, it may be taking slightly more time," Naito said at a

briefing in Tokyo. "We are confident that we are on a good

trajectory."

Leqembi is an antibody designed to remove sticky deposits of

a protein called amyloid beta from the brains of Alzheimer's

patients. It is the first treatment shown to slow progression of

Alzheimer's when administered in the earlier stages of the

disease.

The drug was approved in the U.S. and Japan last year, and

it is under review in Europe. Eisai ( ESALF ) is aiming to introduce

Leqembi in China this year following approval by regulators

there in January.

The drug's debut in Japan has progressed smoothly, Naito

said, and the company is ramping up production ahead of a

planned July launch in China.

The Chinese system for diagnosis and treatment of

Alzheimer's is unique and could serve as a model for expansion

in India along with other markets in Asia and Africa, Naito

said.