Janssen launches first long-acting treatment for schizophrenia

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of a three-month long-acting atypical antipsychotic, INVEGA TRINZA for the treatment of those living with schizophrenia in China. Before that, patients must be adequately treated with INVEGA SUSTENNA for at least four months.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and can have a major impact on an affected person’s capacity to work and integrate into society.

Relapse in patients with schizophrenia can have devastating repercussions, including worsening symptoms, impaired functioning, cognitive deterioration and reduced quality of life. This chronic disease exacerbates the burden of illness on patients and their families.

Results of a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial showed that 91% of patients in the group with INVEGA TRINZA did not experience a relapse event, compared to 71% of patients in the placebo group. When compared to placebo-treated patients, the time to relapse was also longer in patients randomized to the INVEGA TRINZA group.

Availability of INVEGA TRINZA, which only needs to be injected four times a year, offers a new therapeutic option that could potentially reduce non-adherence to medication, an important contributor to relapse in patients with schizophrenia.

"With this newly available treatment option, healthcare providers can give patients greater independence by enabling them to focus less on taking their medication and more on other aspects of their treatment plan," said Tang Hongyu, Honorary President, Psychiatrist Association of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association.

Asgar Rangoonwala, President of Xian Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd said, "Alongside development and delivery of innovative medicines, Janssen remains committed to meeting patients’ needs related to their treatment. We are working with partners to expedite the availability of INVEGA TRINZA in China. We are also supporting a range of physician and patient education programs with the objective of improving health services and facilitating the development of holistic care for mental illness."