Wyeth drug shows improvement for schizophrenia patients

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, in conjunction with Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Lundbeck, has this week presented the results of a clinical trial into bifeprunox. The results of the efficacy and safety study show that once-daily administration of the compound results in improved symptoms in patients with acute attacks of schizophrenia.

Though the drug showed a smaller mean effect than active references compared with placebo, it had an improved weight at metabolic profile when compared with both placebo and active references.

Daniel Casey, professor of psychiatry and neurology at Oregon Health and Science University, said: “Based on the data from phase II and phase III trials, including its metabolic profile, if approved, bifreprunox may be a valuable treatment option for stable patients with schizophrenia.”

He added that the results of these trials were valuable as many schizophrenia patients treatment can be derailed by adverse affects associated with current treatments for the disease.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals entered into a collaboration agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals in March 2004 for the co-development and commercialisation of three treatments for psychiatric conditions, including bifeprunox.

The agreement also included a commitment from Solvay Pharmaceuticals to promote Wyteth’s serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor Effexor XR (venlafazine HCl).