Sumitomo's schizophrenia and depression drug closer to Japanese approval

Positive Phase III results have moved Japanese drugmaker Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (TYO: 4506) closer to getting approval in its home market for lurasidone, a drug that is marketed in the USA under the name Latuda.

The trial in schizophrenia, which met the primary endpoint in efficacy and found lurasidone to be well-tolerated too, was conducted to support regulatory approval in Japan.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is aiming to submit new drug applications for approval of the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression in Japan in the first half of this year.