Cobenfy: A Breakthrough in Schizophrenia Treatment with a Novel Mechanism of Action

FDA Approval:
Cobenfy, developed by Karuna Therapeutics and now owned by Bristol Myers Squibb, was approved by the FDA in September 2024 as a new treatment for schizophrenia12.

Novel Mechanism:
Unlike traditional antipsychotics that target dopamine receptors, Cobenfy works by targeting muscarinic receptors in the brain, which indirectly impacts dopamine levels and alleviates schizophrenia symptoms23.

Clinical Trials:
Two Phase 3 clinical trials showed that Cobenfy was effective in controlling schizophrenia indicators, including hallucinations and depression-like symptoms, compared to a placebo15.

Development Journey:
Cobenfy originated as a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer’s disease at Eli Lilly and was later developed by Karuna Therapeutics before being acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb4.

Potential Impact:
Experts view Cobenfy as a significant advance in schizophrenia treatment, offering a new mechanism of action that could potentially address both positive and negative symptoms of the disorder34.

Future Plans:
Bristol Myers Squibb plans to test Cobenfy in other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and bipolar disorder, expanding its potential applications beyond schizophrenia4.

Sources:

1. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-development/FDA-approves-Cobenfy-firstclass-schizophrenia/102/web/2024/09

2. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/3-things-to-know-about-cobenfy-the-new-schizophrenia-drug

3. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/a-game-changing-new-drug-for-schizophrenia/

4. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/the-making-of-bms-cobenfy-from-alzheimers-to-schizophrenia

5. https://www.bms.com/assets/bms/us/en-us/pdf/investor-info/doc_presentations/2024/bmy-cobenfy-investor-overview.pdf