Schering-Plough Saphris trial achieves primary endpoint

Schering-Plough has announced that a trial involving its drug Saphris (asenapine) met its primary endpoint over one year of treatment in patients with predominant and persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

In a statement, the organisation explained that such symptoms include, but are not limited to, poor social functioning, apathy and a lack of emotion.

Armin Szegedi, vice-president of global clinical research for the central nervous system at the Schering-Plough Research Institute, noted that these are some of the most difficult symptoms in the schizophrenia spectrum to treat.

During the phase III trial, the symptoms were examined using the 16-item Negative Symptom Assessment scale.

He added: “The results from this large clinical study programme will provide new insights into potential treatment of these symptoms.”

Earlier this month, the company announced increased operational sales growth as part of its financial results for the second quarter of 2009, a development that was praised by the firm’s chairman and chief executive Fred Hassan.