Takeda’s schizophrenia drug Latuda makes European debut

Takeda has announced that its new schizophrenia drug Latuda has been released in Switzerland, marking the European debut of the therapy.

Clinical studies have shown that the lurasidone-based product has a specific receptor binding profile and offers both short and long-term efficacy, with a rapid onset of action that has demonstrated effective symptom control as early as the fourth day of treatment.

It also has a favourable side effect profile, which may help patients maintain their cardiometabolic health and thereby improve their outcomes in the long term.

This is the first step towards a wider European rollout of Latuda, with a marketing authorisation application for the drug having been submitted to the European Medicines Agency in October 2012.

Rene Gilvert, vice-president for global marketing and central nervous system therapeutic area lead at Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, said: "We look forward to bringing innovative treatments to market that bring benefits to the widest range of patients possible."

This comes after Takeda earlier this month announced positive findings from Examine, a new clinical study of its type 2 diabetes drug alogliptin.