Astellas/Johns Hopkins University study yields new findings

Astellas has announced a potentially important discovery from a study of antipsychotic therapies it is conducting alongside Johns Hopkins University.

According to data from the collaborative research project, the drug quetiapine can play a potentially important role in the regulation of a cell-cycle related gene in CD-1 mice, compared to another commonly-prescribed antipsychotic therapy.

Because it is able to regulate intracellular gene expression in both post-mitotic neurons and oligodendrocytes, the compound could potentially offer benefits in the treatment of a number of neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

A company statement said: "Astellas expects to identify new drug targets and conduct translational science research to create innovative pharmaceuticals in the field of neuroscience by building on the research reported in this paper."

Earlier this month, it was announced that Astellas will be participating in a new project called the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, which aims to create new healthcare advances for developing nations and also involves Japanese drugmakers such as Takeda, Eisai and Daiichi Sankyo.