BMS’ schizophrenia therapy fails in Phase III trial

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has reported the results of the Phase III ARISE trial for Cobenfy (formerly KarXT) as an adjunctive treatment to atypical antipsychotics for schizophrenia. The trial, which enrolled adult patients with inadequately controlled symptoms and a PANSS score of 70 or more, showed a two-point reduction in the PANSS total score at week six. However, the therapy failed to meet the statistical significance threshold for the primary endpoint of change in PANSS score.

Despite this, preliminary analyses suggest that Cobenfy may help improve symptoms for certain patients when used alongside atypical antipsychotics. Eligible participants can join a 52-week open-label extension study to assess the therapy's long-term safety and tolerability.

Cobenfy is an oral combination of xanomeline and trospium chloride. The drug is part of BMS's broader clinical development programme targeting neuropsychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

26-04-2025