ALKERMES' SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG APPROVED IN ITALY

Alkermes has announced that its partner, Janssen-Cilag received approval from the Italian Regulatory Authorities to market Risperdal consta ((risperidone) long-acting injection), an atypical antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia.

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.

The drug is administered once every two weeks, rather than daily, for the management of schizophrenia - a brain disorder affecting 1-2 percent of the world's population.