BioLineRx Announces New Results Confirming the Mode of Action of Its Anti-Psychotic Drug- BL-1020
BioLineRx’s CEO Dr. Morris Laster: “These results are extremely important for the confirmation of the mode of action of BL-1020 in reducing EPS and improving cognition”
About Current Antipsychotics
Currently available treatments for schizophrenia include two broad classes of antipsychotics: the older “typical” drugs the new generation “atypical” drugs. Both classes of medications are similarly effective at treating schizophrenia but have varying and severe side effects that limit patient compliance. Typical antipsychotics generally cause debilitating movement disorders known as extra-pyramidal side effects. Atypical antipsychotics have fewer motor side effects but may cause increased risks of obesity, diabetes and high blood cholesterol.
BL-1020 is an orally available antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia. BL-1020 has recently completed a phase 2b clinical trial, designed to provide evidence that BL-1020 is a new generation antipsychotic with minimal side effects and greater tolerability. Results are expected by the end of August, 2009.
We obtained a worldwide exclusive license for BL-1020 from Bar-Ilan Research and Development Company Ltd. and Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd. BL-1020 was invented by Prof. Abraham Nudelman (department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University), Dr. Ada Rephaeli, Prof. Abraham Weizman and Dr. Irit Gil-Ad (Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University).
About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects about 1% of the world’s population. It is a multifactorial disease characterized by delusions and hallucinations, emotional withdrawal and apathy, poor attention and disorganization. In 2002, the overall cost of schizophrenia in the United States was estimated at $62.7 billion, and the market for schizophrenia therapy in the U.S. is estimated to reach approximately $10 billion in 2012.
BioLineRx, a clinical stage drug development company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: BLRX), is dedicated to building a robust pipeline of promising therapeutics for unmet medical needs. The Company’s leading programs are for schizophrenia and treatment of damaged heart tissue post-myocardial infarction. Additional products under development include compounds for the treatment of cancer and CNS, cardiovascular, infectious and autoimmune diseases.
For more information, please visit www.biolinerx.com.