The product launch is anticipated in Italy before the end of the year. Risperdal Consta (risperidone) is now approved in more than 70 countries. Janssen-Cilag currently markets the drug in more than 50 of these.
Risperdal Consta is a long-acting injectable form of risperidone that was developed utilizing Alkermes’ proprietary Medisorb drug-delivery technology. Using this technology, risperidone is encapsulated in microspheres made of a biodegradable polymer, which are suspended in a water-based solution and administered to patients by intramuscular injection.
Under the development and supply agreement between the companies, Janssen-Cilag is responsible for worldwide sales and marketing of Risperdal Consta while Alkermes is responsible for manufacturing and receives manufacturing fees and royalties on product sales.
The treatment is administered once every two weeks, rather than daily, for the management of schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder which affects approximately 1% of the world’s population.
Janssen, L.P. and Janssen-Cilag are subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, the global healthcare company.