Schering-Plough Submits Response To FDA For SAPHRIS(TM) (asenapine) In The Acute Treatment Of Both Schizophrenia And Bipolar I Disorder

Main Category: Bipolar
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 21 Feb 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) announced that it has responded to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) complete response letter for SAPHRIS(TM) (asenapine) sublingual tablets, which was received in January 2009. SAPHRIS is under review for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults and for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults as monotherapy.

The action letter included proposed labeling for both indications and a request for supplemental data from the existing asenapine database. No additional clinical trials were requested.

"We are pleased to have submitted the SAPHRIS complete response within a month from receipt of the FDA action letter. We look forward to working with the agency to finalize labeling and gain approval, and to bringing a new therapy to patients with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder," said Thomas P. Koestler, Ph.D., executive vice president and president, Schering-Plough Research Institute.

Schering-Plough acquired asenapine in November 2007 through its acquisition of Organon BioSciences, which developed the antipsychotic agent. The New Drug Application (NDA) for asenapine includes data from a clinical trial program involving more than 3,000 patients in schizophrenia and bipolar mania trials.

Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription, animal health and consumer health care products. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is www.schering-plough.com.

SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the clinical development of, the commercial plans for and the potential market for SAPHRIS. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough's forward-looking statements, including uncertainties in the regulatory process, among other uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in the third quarter 2008 10-Q, filed Oct. 29, 2008.

Schering Plough Corporation
http://www.schering-plough.com