Janssen shares data on 6-month schizophrenia shot at ECNP

At the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), Janssen presented data on the Phase 3 trial for the recently approved schizophrenia treatment Invega Hafyera, paliperidone palmitate 6-month (PP6M).

“We hope that this continues to change the paradigm in treating schizophrenia with long-acting injectables,” said Dean Najarian, associate field director, neuroscience medical affairs at Janssen. “Non-adherence is a major contributor of relapses and associated hospitalizations, and certainly costly to the healthcare systems as well as social dynamics.”

The prospect of a six-month schizophrenia injection can “offer patients and caregivers the potential for a life less defined by their schizophrenia medication,” Najarian said.

Invega Hafyera is the only twice-yearly, long-acting injectable.

Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), announced the FDA approval of the formulation on Sept. 1. Approvals in other countries are pending…

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How Janssen’s twice-yearly schizophrenia drug could help patients

Traditionally, one of the most challenging aspects of treating schizophrenia is medication adherence. Patients who neglect to take their medicine have an elevated risk of relapse, hospitalization and suicide. “There’s a higher likelihood of an exacerbation of the illness occurring,” said Dr. Gustavo Alva, medical director at ATP Clinical Research (Costa Mesa, California). 

The problem has led drug companies to develop long-acting formulations of antipsychotics. In that vein, Janssen (NYSE:JNJ) recently announced that it has scored FDA approval for the long-acting atypical antipsychotic Invega Hafyera (paliperidone palmitate). The drug is the first twice-yearly injectable treatment for adults with schizophrenia. 

[Related: Janssen wins FDA approval of twice-yearly schizophrenia treatment]

Paliperidone is the primary active metabolite of Risperdal (risperidone), which first won FDA approval in 1993. The first long-acting injectable of paliperidone palmitat…

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