Biopharma trials scheduled for oral antipsychotic BL-1020

BioLine has announced plans to conduct an interim analysis of current Phase II and III trials of BL-1020, its orally available GABA-enhanced antipsychotic for treatment of schizophrenia. The analysis will take place in the coming months, with a completion date of first quarter 2013 set. In total, data from 235 randomised patients across sites in Romania and India will be investigated in order to see the effects of the drug on cognitive function within the first six weeks of treatment. Impairment of cognitive skills is one of the main side effects of most conventional schizophrenia treatments. Dr Kinneret Savitsky, chief executive of BioLineRx, said that recent analysis of EAGLE Phase IIb studies involving the drug suggest it has less negative impact in this area than had originally been anticipated. This, he said, 'has increased our confidence in the potential of this first-in-class drug candidate'. Dr Savitsky added: 'We hope that the results will reinforce our confidence regarding the cognitive benefits of the drug, and if so, will enable us to expedite our commercialisation efforts for the further development of this promising therapeutic candidate.' He added that BL-1020 has so far had an 'excellent track record' in clinical and pre-clinical studies.

BioLine has announced plans to conduct an interim analysis of current Phase II and III trials of BL-1020, its orally available GABA-enhanced antipsychotic for treatment of schizophrenia.