Vanda Begins Schizophrenia Drug Study

Novartis has initiated a Phase I clinical study for two long-acting injectable formulations of Fanapt (iloperidone) in patients with schizophrenia.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals has reported that Novartis Pharmaceuticals has started a Phase I clinical study to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of two long-acting injectable formulations of Fanapt (iloperidone) in patients with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling mental disorder, characterised by profound disruptions in thinking that affect language, perception and the sense of self. It affects 2.4 million people in the US.

Under a deal agreed in 2009, Novartis has exclusive rights to long-acting injectable formulations of Fanapt in the US and Canada, while Vanda has exclusive rights in the rest of the world.