AbbVie Provides Update on Phase 2 Results for Emraclidine in Schizophrenia

Core Insights - AbbVie's Phase 2 EMPOWER trials for emraclidine did not achieve their primary endpoint of statistically significant improvement in PANSS total score compared to placebo at week 6 [1][2] - Emraclidine was well-tolerated, with an adverse event profile consistent with previous trials, indicating a safety profile comparable to Phase 1b trials [1][3] - AbbVie remains committed to analyzing the data for future steps and continues to focus on developing innovative therapies for psychiatric and neurological disorders [2][4] Clinical Trial Details - The EMPOWER clinical development program included two Phase 2 trials, EMPOWER-1 and EMPOWER-2, designed to evaluate emraclidine in patients with schizophrenia experiencing acute exacerbations [7][8] - The trials involved multiple dosing options to explore the therapeutic dose range for emraclidine [7] - A 52-week open-label extension trial, EMPOWER-3, is also part of the program, focusing on patients with stable symptoms [8] Emraclidine Overview - Emraclidine is a novel M4-selective positive allosteric modulator in development for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease psychosis, designed for once-daily administration without titration [6] - It selectively targets M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors to potentially reduce psychotic symptoms without blocking dopamine type 2 receptors, which are associated with many side effects of current antipsychotics [6] Neuroscience Focus - Neuroscience is a key area for AbbVie, which has expanded its pipeline through the acquisition of Cerevel, adding multiple clinical-stage and preclinical candidates to its existing portfolio [4][9] - AbbVie has a strong commitment to advancing treatment options for neurological and psychiatric disorders, supported by over three decades of experience in the field [9]