Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

New Drugs for Schizophrenia

Saegis Pharmaceuticals Receives $2 Million Investment from the Stanley Medical Research Institute - Saegis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing medicines that protect and enhance the function of the human mind, today announced that The Stanley Medical Research Institute will invest $2 million in the company, in exchange for Series B Preferred Stock, to help fund the initiation of human clinical trials of SGS518, a novel small molecule that has exhibited safety and activity in improving learning and memory in extensive pre-clinical research. Saegis will study the compound as a treatment for the cognitive decline that occurs in schizophrenia.

"The Stanley Medical Research Institute is the largest private provider of research support for schizophrenia in the United States," said Rodney Pearlman, Ph.D., president and CEO of Saegis Pharmaceuticals. "As such, their significant investment not only validates the potential of SGS518 but also recognizes the ability of Saegis to pursue its clinical development efficiently."

Saegis is developing SGS518 in cooperation with Eli Lilly and Company to treat diseases related to cognitive impairment, including cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). "

Injectable Zyprexa Now Available in First Markets (UK) - A UK press release from Eli Lilly suggests that "An injectable form of Zyprexa (olanzapine) is now available, giving doctors a new, rapid-acting treatment option for acutely agitated, non- cooperative patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in hospital emergency rooms or other crisis situations, Eli Lilly and Company announced today. Clinical data demonstrates that injectable Zyprexa(R) enables clinicians to rapidly and dependably relieve patients of the distressing effects of acute agitation with low risk of the debilitating side effects associated with conventional injectable therapies.

The injectable intramuscular formulation will be available in France, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom early in the first quarter of 2004. Other major markets, including Germany, Spain and Italy, will follow soon thereafter. The formulation is currently under regulatory review in the United States. It will be marketed as Zyprexa IM in Australia, Zyprexa Powder for Solution for Injection in the European Union, and Zyprexa IntraMuscular in Canada and the United States.

Zyprexa case goes to judge - The Indianapolis Star reported this week on the trial in which Eli Lilly is challenging the right for generic drug companies to begin selling their own versions of Zyprexa. The newspaper (based in the home town of Eli Lilly, I believe) stated that "The generic drug firms challenging the U.S. patent on Zyprexa "have nothing to lose" and $1 billion in potential sales to gain, Charles E. Lipsey said.

Lilly, on the other hand, is looking at keeping or losing its "life's blood," he said.

Closing comments by Lipsey and two attorneys for the generic drug challengers wrapped up the 12-day trial where Lilly again is fighting to hold onto exclusive U.S. rights to its top drug.

The Indianapolis drugmaker lost, on appeal, a similar challenge by a generic drug firm in 2000 over the patent on the antidepressant Prozac.

The case began about 21/2 years ago when Lilly sued for patent infringement the first of three generic drug firms that have sought approval to sell non-brand versions of Zyprexa in the United States."