Eli Lilly reports positive CHMP opinion for olanzapine LAI

Eli Lilly has announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the approval in Europe of olanzapine long-acting injection (LAI) as a maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.

The compound – known in Europe as Zypahedrea – has been recommended for approval for use in adult patients whose condition has sufficiently stabilised during acute treatment with orally-administered olanzapine.

Olanzapine LAI is an investigational formulation that combines atypical antipsychotic Zyprexa (olanzapie) with pamoic acid to make a salt to sustain the delivery of the active compound for up to four weeks.

The new version of the compound is currently undergoing regulatory reviews in Australia, Canada and the US and has recently been approved for use in New Zealand.

David McDonnell, clinical research physician at Eli Lilly, said: “Because of the chronic and severe nature of schizophrenia, persistent challenges with adherence and the limited number of depot formulations available, we believe that olanzapine LAI has the potential to become a valuable treatment option for patients.”

He added the company anticipates making olanzapine LAI available in the EU in the near future.

Earlier this month, Eli Lilly announced positive results for olanzapine LAI it said offered insight into the potential role of the drug in patients who have benefited from olanzapine but have difficulties with adherence.