BioLineRx Initiates Phase II Trial of BL-1020

BioLineRx announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial on schizophrenic patients for the maximal tolerated dose determination of BL-1020.

BL-1020 is a first in class, orally available, gamma-aminobutyric acid-enhanced antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Morris Laster, CEO of BioLineRx, said the trial was conducted in healthy volunteers, and dosage was determined by results from previous clinical studies. He added that he anticipates results sometime during the fourth quarter.

The trial is designed as an open-label, multicenter, 6-week, sequential-cohort study that the company said it expects to conduct in five centers in Israel and 12 centers in Romania. The primary objective of the study is to determine the maximal tolerated dose of BL-1020 in 60 patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder, the company added.