The FDA has approves Johnson & Johnson’s Invega Trinza (three-month paliperidone palmitate) for schizophrenia.
Invega Trinza is a three-month, atypical antipsychotic injection that was under priority review from the US regulator. At phase III, 93% of patients treated with the drug did not experience a significant return of schizophrenic symptoms, the results of which were published in March by JAMA Psychiatry.
Trial investigator Joseph Kwentus, from Precise Research Centers, commented: “With a dosing interval that can be measured in seasons, not days, people living with schizophrenia and their treatment teams can focus on recovery goals beyond short-term symptom control.
“Recovery looks different for everyone and the long-term symptom control offered by Invega Trinza can help patients work toward their own personal goals.”
Before starting a treatment course of the drug, patients must be adequately treated with Invega Sustenna, a one-month paliperidone palmitate, for at least four months.
Janssen anticipates that Invega Trinza will be commercially available by mid-June of this year.