Schizophrenia

Researchers have identified two previously unknown genes linked to schizophrenia and newly implicated a third gene as carrying risk for both schizophrenia and autism. Led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the multi-centre study further demonstrated that the schizophrenia risk conferred by these rare damaging variants is conserved across ethnicities. The study […]

Newron Pharmaceuticals’ Evenamide could be a potential breakthrough treatment in the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients, according to new trial data.  The drug is being assessed as an add-on to an antipsychotic (excluding clozapine) in patients with moderate to severe TRS who are not responding to their current antipsychotic medication.  The efficacy results, based […]

Cerevance has expanded its Series B funding round with an additional close of $51 million, bringing the total to $116 million.  The financing will support upcoming clinical trials focused on Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and schizophrenia.   “We are thrilled to secure additional funding from world-class investors who strongly support the need for novel […]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved biopharmaceutical company BioXcel Therapeutics’ acute treatment for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder-associated agitation.   BioXcel Therapeutics’ IGALMI (dexmedetomidine) is the first new treatment for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder-associated agitation in almost 10 years, according to the company.  The FDA’s decision was based on data from two pivotal randomised, double-blinded, […]

Neurocrine Biosciences and Sosei Group Corporation have collaborated to develop novel muscarinic receptor agonists, which Neurocrine Biosciences intends to study in the treatment for schizophrenia, dementia and other neuropsychiatric disorders.  The agreement terms  Under the terms of the agreement, Neurocrine Biosciences gains development and commercialisation rights to a broad portfolio of novel clinical and preclinical subtype-selective muscarinic […]

Monument Therapeutics, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, has announced a preclinical study to support the use of their non-invasive biomarker for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.  Currently, there are no treatments on the market for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, despite efforts by pharmaceutical companies over the last decade. One of the recognised limitations of previous […]

News round-up by DDW’s Megan Thomas for 13-17 September  The news in the drug discovery industry this week has demonstrated the potential that remains untapped for a number of industries at large as well as taking early steps towards future cures and treatments. DDW’s Megan Thomas has rounded up five stories which showcase this breakthrough […]

Bristol-led research has identified specific drug targets within the neural circuits that encode memories, paving the way for significant advances in the treatment of a broad spectrum of brain disorders.  Loss of memory is a core feature of many neurological and psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Current treatment options for memory loss are […]

News round-up by DDW’s Megan Thomas for 6 – 10 September  DDW’s Megan Thomas selects five stories which showcase results, data, partnerships and research which offer a promising future for both drug development and eventual treatment of a number of diseases.   New potential therapy for schizophrenia patients  Newron Pharmaceuticals has initiated Study 008A, the first potentially […]

Newron Pharmaceuticals has initiated Study 008A, the first potentially pivotal study with evenamide in patients with schizophrenia. Results from the study are expected by the fourth quarter of 2022.  Study 008A, a four-week, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled international study, is designed to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety (including effects on the electroencephalogram (EEG)) of the 30mg BID therapeutic dose […]

Scientists have successfully treated flies displaying behavioural problems linked to newly discovered schizophrenia-associated genes in humans, using common anti-psychotics. Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition that is historically poorly understood and treated. It is relatively common, affecting 1-2% of the population, and is known to be up to 80% genetic in origin. Recent […]