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Experimental schizophrenia drug failed clinical trial

Eli Lilly and Co. announced on Wednesday the schizophrenia drug pomaglumetad methionil, also known as mGlu2/3, failed in a late-stage clinical trial.

“Unfortunately, negative studies are common in the field of psychiatry and a reality of biopharmaceutical innovation,” said Jan Lundberg, PhD, president of Lilly Research Laboratories.

According to Eli Lilly, the study was intended to be the first of two clinical trials testing a stand-alone treatment of acute schizophrenia. The second trial is ongoing, the results of which will be provided later this year. The company is also awaiting results from a recently concluded second-phase study exploring the use of pomaglumetad methionil as an adjunctive treatment with atypical antipsychotics.

Pomaglumetad methionil is a glutamatergic-based agent that does not interact with the central nervous system receptors believed responsible for adverse events in schizophrenia treatments such as motor dysfunction, reproductive hormone irregularity, weight gain and lipid elevation, according to Eli Lilly.

“Despite all of the advances, the need for new and better treatments for those suffering with mental illnesses is among the most urgent in medicine,” Lundberg said.