Alongside rather pleasing third-quarter results, Alkermes yesterday made an announcement that if it comes to fruition could cause more than a few ripples in the CNS space. The Boston-based group revealed that it would be striking out on its own to create a long-acting formulation of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s schizophrenia drug Abilify, without the cooperation of the US giant and its partner Otsuka Pharmaceutical. 

Alkermes’ drug, ALKS 9070, will be developed using the group’s newly unveiled proprietary LinkeRx technology, which is expected to push the duration of action of Abilify from the current daily dosing to monthly, taking it in-line with the likes of Johnson & Johnson’s Invega Sustenna, which is making significant gains in the market thanks to its long-acting dosing.