Janssen-Cilag receives EU approval for schizophrenia drug Xeplion

Janssen-Cilag has been granted EU approval for its drug Xeplion to be utilised as a treatment for schizophrenia.

The European Commission has ratified the product for this indication based on data from four double-blind placebo-controlled studies, in which it proved to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing symptoms when compared to placebo.

Xeplion is a monthly injection-based therapy designed for maintenance treatment of adult patients who have already been stabilised with paliperidone or risperidone.

Dr Christophe Tessier, medical affairs director of psychiatry at Janssen in Europe, said this provides clinicians with a new therapy option.

"As a once-monthly injection, Xeplion can help healthcare professionals address the issue of non-adherence to medication, thus ensuring symptom control and allowing patients to focus on shaping their lives," he explained.

This comes after Janssen-Cilag's Invega was approved by the European Commission as a treatment for psychotic or manic symptoms of schizoaffective disorder in January 2011.