Forest Laboratories reports positive schizophrenia data for cariprazine

Forest Laboratories has announced positive new phase III clinical trial data for cariprazine as a treatment for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Results from a pair of new studies has shown that the Gedeon Richter co-developed drug is able to deliver significant symptom improvement compared to placebo, with benefits becoming clear within two weeks to therapy.

This new data supports previous findings from a phase IIb trial and will help to support the manufacturers' plans to file for regulatory approval of cariprazine in 2012.

In addition to schizophrenia, the drug is currently being assessed as a treatment for bipolar depression, major depressive disorder and bipolar mania.

Dr Marco Taglietti, president of Forest Research Institute, said: "By successfully meeting the primary endpoint in each of these studies, we now have three positive schizophrenia trials and three positive bipolar mania trials."

Earlier this month, the company was granted European regulatory approval for Colobreathe, a dry powder inhaler treatment for chronic lung infections among cystic fibrosis patients.