FDA Approves Intra-Cellular Therapies? Novel Antipsychotic, CAPLYTA? (lumateperone) for the Treatment of Schizophrenia in Adults
Press ReleaseNEW YORK,?Dec. 23, 2019?(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --?Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.?(Nasdaq:ITCI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that CAPLYTA??(lumateperone) has been approved by the?U.S. Food and Drug Administration?(FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.?The Company expects to initiate the commercial launch of CAPLYTA in late Q1 2020.
The efficacy of CAPLYTA 42 mg was demonstrated in two placebo-controlled trials, showing a statistically significant separation from placebo on the primary endpoint, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. The most common adverse reactions (=5% and twice the rate of placebo) for the recommended dose of CAPLYTA vs placebo were somnolence/sedation (24% vs.10%) and dry mouth (6% vs. 2%).
In pooled data from short term studies, mean changes from baseline in weight gain, fasting glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were similar between CAPLYTA and placebo. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was 6.7% for CAPLYTA and 6.3% for placebo.
?We believe CAPLYTA provides healthcare providers a new, safe and effective treatment option to help the millions of adult patients with schizophrenia,? said Dr.?Sharon Mates, Chairman and CEO of?Intra-Cellular Therapies. ?This approval represents the culmination of years of scientific research. We are especially grateful to the patients, their caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who have contributed to the development of CAPLYTA.?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness impacting approximately 2.4 million adults in?the United States. The clinical presentation of schizophrenia is diverse.? Acute episodes are characterized by psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, often requiring hospitalization.? The disease is chronic and lifelong, often accompanied by depression and gradual deterioration of social functioning and cognitive ability. Patients with schizophrenia often discontinue treatment as a result of side effects such as weight gain and movement disorders.
?Schizophrenia is a complex disease that severely impacts patients and their families,? said?Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., Lawrence C. Kolb Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry,?Columbia University,?College of Physicians and Surgeons?and Director,?New York State Psychiatric Institute. ?Effective treatment provided in a timely fashion can be game-changing for people living with schizophrenia. The efficacy and safety profile of CAPLYTA approved by the?FDA, offers healthcare providers an important new option for treating people living with schizophrenia.?
Please also see full Prescribing Information including?Boxed Warning.
Important Safety Information
Boxed Warning: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. CAPLYTA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Contraindications:?CAPLYTA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lumateperone or any components of CAPLYTA.
Warnings & Precautions:?Antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause:
- Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis, including stroke and transient ischemic attack.? See BOXED WARNING above.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which is a potentially fatal reaction. Signs and symptoms include: hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, autonomic instability, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (and/or rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation of CAPLYTA and close monitoring.
- Tardive Dyskinesia, a syndrome of potentially irreversible, dyskinetic, and involuntary movements which may increase as the duration of treatment and total cumulative dose increases. Discontinue CAPLYTA if clinically appropriate.
- Metabolic Changes, including hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. Measure weight and assess fasting plasma glucose and lipids when initiating CAPLYTA and monitor periodically during long-term treatment.
- Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases). Perform complete blood counts in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or history of leukopenia or neutropenia. Discontinue CAPLYTA if clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in absence of other causative factors.
- Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and warn patients with known cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
- Falls. CAPLYTA may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, and motor and/or sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures and other injuries. Assess patients for risk when using CAPLYTA.
- Seizures. Use CAPLYTA cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower seizure threshold.
- Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment. Advise patients to use caution when operating machinery or motor vehicles until they are reasonably certain CAPLYTA therapy does not affect them adversely.
- Body Temperature Dysregulation. Use CAPLYTA with caution in patients who may experience conditions that may increase core body temperature such as strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics.
- Dysphagia. Use CAPLYTA with caution in patients at risk for aspiration.