Medincell's $5 Million Milestone: A Boon for Long-Acting Injectables and Schizophrenia Treatment

Medincell, a French pharmaceutical company specializing in long-acting injectables, has received a $5 million development milestone payment from Teva Pharmaceuticals following the completion of the SOLARIS study for its olanzapine long-acting injectable (LAI) project. This payment marks a significant achievement in the development of a novel treatment for schizophrenia, a chronic and debilitating mental health disorder.

The SOLARIS study, a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Medincell's olanzapine LAI in treating schizophrenia. The study's successful completion, without any reported cases of post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS) after approximately 80% of the required injections, highlights the potential of Medincell's proprietary BEPO® technology in improving the safety and convenience of long-acting injectable treatments.

Medincell's olanzapine LAI, mdc-TJK, is an investigational once-monthly subcutaneous long-acting injection designed to provide a favorable safety profile compared to existing LAIs of olanzapine. The absence of PDSS incidents in the SOLARIS study suggests that mdc-TJK may be a safer and more accessible treatment option for patients with schizophrenia, potentially leading to increased market penetration and sales.

The $5 million milestone payment from Teva is a testament to the successful collaboration between the two companies in advancing the clinical development of the olanzapine LAI. This payment, along with the anticipated revenue from mdc-TJK, will generate net profit to fuel Medincell's sustainable growth. Teva forecasts sales of $100 million in 2024 for UZEDY®, a 25% increase from the previous outlook of $80 million, further demonstrating the potential of Medincell's long-acting injectable portfolio.

Medincell's success in the olanzapine LAI project has attracted new partners, such as AbbVie, with whom the company has signed a significant strategic agreement. This collaboration aims to co-develop and commercialize up to six therapeutic products across multiple therapeutic areas and indications using Medincell's commercial-stage long-acting injectable technology platform. The first LAI program candidate has been selected, and formulation activities are underway.

In conclusion, the $5 million milestone payment from Teva to Medincell signifies a major achievement in the development of a novel, long-acting injectable treatment for schizophrenia. The successful completion of the SOLARIS study, without any reported cases of PDSS, highlights the potential of Medincell's proprietary BEPO® technology in improving the safety and convenience of long-acting injectable treatments. The payment, along with the anticipated revenue from mdc-TJK, will contribute to Medincell's overall financial trajectory and support the company's growth in the long-acting injectable market.