Forest Laboratories reports positive data for bipolar disease drug

Forest Laboratories has published positive new clinical trial data for a new therapy option for patients with acute mania associated with bipolar I disorder.

Developed in partnership with Gedeon Richter, the investigational antipsychotic agent cariprazine has been shown in the phase III study to deliver significant improvements in symptoms compared to placebo within five days of starting treatment.

These preliminary top-line results are in line with the primary efficacy endpoint of the trial and back up the conclusions of previous placebo-controlled studies, with further data analyses from this trial set to be published in the coming weeks.

Dr Marco Taglietti, Forest Laboratories' senior vice-president of research and development and president of the Forest Research Institute, said: "These positive phase III results further demonstrate the opportunity for cariprazine as a potential new treatment option for patients suffering from bipolar mania."

The drug is also being assessed as a potential therapy for schizophrenia, bipolar depression and major depressive disorder.

It comes after the company recently received US regulatory approval for its new irritable bowel syndrome therapy linaclotide, based on positive phase III trial data.