Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Solvay Announces New Drug Plans

Solvay Announces New Drug Plans for Schizophrenia

Solvay has re-evaluated the commercial potential of bifeprunox, a Solvay compound in clinical development for the treatment of schizophrenia . Bifeprunox additionally has the potential to be developed in other disorders, i.e. bipolar disorder. Following its alliance with Wyeth, Solvay confirms that peak year sales on the markets where the partners co-develop and co-commercialize bifeprunox ? the United States and Canada ? are in excess of USD 1 billion.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (June 3, 04) noted that "The global market for schizophrenia drugs is valued at around $10 billion a year, and doctors aren't satisfied with their current roster of treatments.

"We usually use a mix of drugs," said Dr. Francoise Lotstra, a psychiatrist who treats schizophrenia at Erasmus Hospital in southern Brussels. "They're only effective in 30% to 50% of cases, and there are often side effects like severe weight gain."

Solvay says that Bifeprunox users will have no weight gain and no significant imbalances in their blood-sugar or cholesterol levels."

Bifeprunox, a partial dopamine agonist, is being developed as a novel treatment for schizophrenia. Phase II data for bifeprunox has shown efficacy in patients with schizophrenia. It is also expected to provide an improved safety profile with the following advantages:

- No weight gain;

- No increase in prolactin;

- Favorable lipid profile;

- No glucose dysregulation

- No QTc prolongation

- Extrapyramidal symptoms comparable to placebo.

These features of bifeprunox are being further studied in an extensive phase III clinical program. Solvay and Wyeth plan to submit file for registration for bifeprunox in 2006 with an expected market launch in 2007.

In Europe and other markets, bifeprunox is co-developed by Solvay and H. Lundbeck A/S, an international pharmaceutical company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Bifeprunox will be marketed in those markets by Lundbeck.

Submission in these markets is also planned simultaneously in 2006 with expected market launch in 2007.