Roche reports phase three failure for schizophrenia drug

Roche has reported disappointing results of phase three studies of bitopertin, a schizophrenia candidate that has failed to meet primary endpoints in two studies.

These results relate to the drug's failure to treat the so-called negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which can have the most detriment and affect functional outcomes. Examples include poor motivation, social withdrawal, and diminished affective responsiveness, speech and movement.

A third late-stage trial has not reported, which Roche said was testing the benefit of the drug in positive symptoms of psychosis - hallucinations and delusions.

"These results are disappointing for people with negative symptoms because more effective treatments are needed for these debilitating effects of schizophrenia.

"We will await data from the remaining bitopertin studies in schizophrenia before deciding on next steps."

Sandra Horning, chief medical officer and head of global product development, Roche.