Janssen stops Ph III schizophrenia trial on good efficacy and relapse results

Following an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommendation based on positive efficacy, a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary has halted early a Phase III clinical study of paliperidone palmitate three-month formulation, an investigational treatment for symptoms of schizophrenia in adults.

The compound is already marketed in a one-month formulation under the brand name Invega Sustenna, which generated sales of $1.25 billion last year.

"We are really excited about this news because a medication's ability to delay time to relapse in schizophrenia has significant clinical and societal implications," said Husseini Manji, global head, neuroscience, at J&J’s Janssen Research & Development unit, adding: "Being able to delay relapse can prove to be beneficial clinically to patients, to their caregivers and to the community."