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news.Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has released eight-week results from a Phase II study of RG16781, its investigational glycine reuptake inhibitor (GRI) for the treatment of schizophrenia which showed reduction in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, accompanied by beneficial changes in patients' personal and social functioning.
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The study measured improvements in patients with predominantly negative symptoms of schizophrenia who received RG1678 in combination with second-generation antipsychotics.
Genentech said that RG1678 was generally well tolerated and the safety profile was favorable in the trial.
The glycine reuptake inhibitor RG1678 normalises glutamate neurotransmission by increasing synaptic levels of glycine, thereby targeting an important pathway in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Genentech Product Development head and chief medical officer Hal Barron said the new compound could be the first treatment to address the negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia, potentially enabling patients to carry out everyday tasks more effectively.
"Discussions with health authorities have taken place and a Phase III program is underway to confirm efficacy of RG1678," Barron said.