Janssen-Cilag submits marketing application for schizophrenia drug

Janssen-Cilag revealed this week that it has submitted an EU marketing application for its schizophrenia treatment paliperidone palmitate.

The marketing authorisation application was made with the European Medicines Agency and indicates the investigational once-monthly atypical antipsychotic intramuscular injection for the treatment of the condition.

Incorporating the firm’s NanoCrystal Technology, the drug’s submission is based on the results of a global trial.

The NanoCrystal Technology was developed by a subsidiary of Elan Pharma International.

If the treatment is approved, Janssen-Cilag will market it through its own companies, as well as those of its parent firm Johnson and Johnson.

According to Janssen-Cilag, the medicines it manufactures – including those for the treatment of schizophrenia, epilepsy, multiple myeloma and HIV/AIDS – are used to treat around 1,500 million patients annually.