Surveyed US psychiatrists would prescribe Roche/Chugai's bitopertin to 28% of their patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia

US psychiatrists surveyed by advisory firm Decision Resources indicate that they would prescribe Roche/Chugai’s bitopertin to 28% of their patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which is equivalent to a patient share of approximately 17% of the diagnosed schizophrenia population.

Decision Resources forecasts that bitopertin will earn a 15% patient share in the US schizophrenia market by 2020, owing to its efficacy in the treatment of negative symptoms of the disorder. Bitopertin is currently in Phase III clinical development and Roche has indicated that it expects to file for approval of the drug in 2013.

Decision Resources’ analysis of the schizophrenia drug market also finds that interviewed experts and surveyed managed care organizations’ (MCO) pharmacy directors indicate that improvement of negative symptoms is one of the greatest unmet needs in schizophrenia. Clinical data and interviewed thought leaders indicate that bitopertin, Eli Lilly’s pomaglumetad methionil, Targacept’s TC-5619, Envivo Pharmaceuticals/Bayer’s EVP-6124 and Shire’s Vyvanse have each demonstrated the potential to partially fulfill this unmet need.