BIOLINERX TO BEGIN TRIALS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG

BioLineRx has announced the start of Phase I clinical trials to test the safety of BL-1020, an innovative molecule for treating schizophrenia. The trial will be conducted at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel.

BL-1020 is a small molecule to be taken orally. Preclinical trials showed that it was as effective as antipsychotic drugs, and did not have the side effects associated with schizophrenic treatments, such as motor problems and obesity. The side effects of current schizophrenia drugs are a major obstacle to effective treatment of the disease because patients are reluctant to take them.