Perseris gets FDA nod for schizophrenia in adults

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Perseris, the first once-monthly subcutaneous risperidone-containing, long-acting injectable (LAI) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

Clinically relevant levels were reached after the first injection of Perseris without use of a loading dose or any supplemental oral risperidone, says the drug’s maker London-listed Indivior (LSE: INDV), whose shares edged up 1.5% to 319.70 pence in early trading today.

"Treatment adherence is a major challenge in schizophrenia due to the complexity of the disease. It is important to have additional treatment options available to physicians to help them improve their patients' symptom severity," said Maurizio Fava, executive vice chairman of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Psychiatry and Indivior clinical research consultant. "The studies carried out by Indivior suggest that Perseris may offer patients, caregivers and physicians a new once-monthly subcutaneous medication option to treat adults with schizophrenia," he added.