NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ITCI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that Caplyta (lumateperone) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. The Company expects to initiate the commercial launch of Caplyta in late Q1 2020.

The efficacy of Caplyta 42 mg was demonstrated in two placebo-controlled trials, showing a statistically significant separation from placebo on the primary endpoint, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. The most common adverse reactions (≥5% and twice the rate of placebo) for the recommended dose of Caplyta vs placebo were somnolence/sedation (24% vs.10%) and dry mouth (6% vs. 2%).

In pooled data from short term studies, mean changes from baseline in weight gain, fasting glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were similar between Caplyta and placebo. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was 6.7% for Caplyta and 6.3% for placebo.

“We believe Caplyta provides healthcare providers a new, safe and effective treatment option to help the millions of adult patients with schizophrenia,” said Dr. Sharon Mates, Chairman and CEO of Intra-Cellular Therapies. “This approval represents the culmination of years of scientific research. We are especially grateful to the patients, their caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who have contributed to the development of Caplyta.”

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness impacting approximately 2.4 million adults in the United States. The clinical presentation of schizophrenia is diverse. Acute episodes are characterized by psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, often requiring hospitalization. The disease is chronic and lifelong, often accompanied by depression and gradual deterioration of social functioning and cognitive ability. Patients with schizophrenia often discontinue treatment as a result of side effects such as weight gain and movement disorders.

“Schizophrenia is a complex disease that severely impacts patients and their families,” said Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., Lawrence C. Kolb Professor and Chairman of Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director, New York State Psychiatric Institute. “Effective treatment provided in a timely fashion can be game-changing for people living with schizophrenia. The efficacy and safety profile of Caplyta approved by the FDA, offers healthcare providers an important new option for treating people living with schizophrenia.”

Important Safety Information

Boxed Warning: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Caplyta is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Contraindications: Caplyta is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lumateperone or any components of Caplyta.

Warnings & Precautions: Antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause:

Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis, including stroke and transient ischemic attack. See BOXED WARNING above.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which is a potentially fatal reaction. Signs and symptoms include: hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, autonomic instability, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (and/or rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation of Caplyta and close monitoring.
Tardive Dyskinesia, a syndrome of potentially irreversible, dyskinetic, and involuntary movements which may increase as the duration of treatment and total cumulative dose increases. Discontinue Caplyta if clinically appropriate.
Metabolic Changes, including hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. Measure weight and assess fasting plasma glucose and lipids when initiating Caplyta and monitor periodically during long-term treatment.
Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases). Perform complete blood counts in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or history of leukopenia or neutropenia. Discontinue Caplyta if clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in absence of other causative factors.
Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and warn patients with known cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
Falls. Caplyta may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, and motor and/or sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures and other injuries. Assess patients for risk when using Caplyta.
Seizures. Use Caplyta cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower seizure threshold.
Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment. Advise patients to use caution when operating machinery or motor vehicles until they are reasonably certain Caplyta therapy does not affect them adversely.
Body Temperature Dysregulation. Use Caplyta with caution in patients who may experience conditions that may increase core body temperature such as strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics.
Dysphagia. Use Caplyta with caution in patients at risk for aspiration.

Drug Interactions: Avoid concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers and moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Special Populations: Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. Breastfeeding is not recommended. Avoid use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials with Caplyta vs. placebo were somnolence/sedation (24% vs. 10%) and dry mouth (6% vs. 2%).

About Caplyta (lumateperone)

Caplyta is an oral, once daily medicine approved for the treatment of schizophrenia of adults (42mg/day).

The mechanism of action of Caplyta in the treatment of schizophrenia is unknown. However, the efficacy of Caplyta could be mediated through a combination of antagonist activity at central serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and postsynaptic antagonist activity at central dopamine D2 receptors.

Caplyta is being developed for the treatment of bipolar depression, behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, depression and other neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Caplyta has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective in these other areas. Caplyta was approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2019.

About Intra-Cellular Therapies

Intra-Cellular Therapies is developing novel drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and diseases of the elderly, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The Company’s first product, Caplyta, has received FDA approval for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and is in development for the treatment of bipolar depression, behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, depression and other neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Intra-Cellular Therapies is also utilizing its phosphodiesterase (PDE) platform and other proprietary chemistry platforms to develop drugs for the treatment of CNS and other disorders. The lead molecule in the Company's PDE1 portfolio, ITI-214, is in development for the treatment of symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and for the treatment of heart failure. (Article from : www.drugs.com)