Drug Overview
Lonasen (Sumitomo Dainippon/Nitto Denko) contains blonanserin, a dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist. The drug possesses a stronger blocking action to D2 receptors than to 5-HT2 receptors, and is structurally unrelated to typical antipsychotics or to newer agents such as risperidone. Given its weak adrenaline receptor blocking, the drug typically has minimal sedative and hypotensive effects.
Through Sumitomo Dainippon’s expertise in Japan, the company has grown its brand Lonasen into a major product in the country’s schizophrenia market. Clinical trial data indicated that Lonasen’s efficacy extended to negative symptoms in schizophrenia, which significantly distinguishes it from other atypical antipsychotics and crucially addresses an unmet need. However, generic competition poses the greatest threat to Lonasen’s success, and the drug’s impending loss of exclusivity in April 2018 will significantly erode its market share.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 OVERVIEW
4 Drug Overview
5 Product Profiles
5 Lonasen : Schizophrenia
LIST OF FIGURES
11 Figure 1: Lonasen for schizophrenia – SWOT analysis
12 Figure 2: Datamonitor Healthcare’s drug assessment summary of Lonasen for schizophrenia
13 Figure 3: Datamonitor Healthcare’s drug assessment summary of Lonasen for schizophrenia
15 Figure 4: Lonasen sales for schizophrenia in Japan, 2017–26
LIST OF TABLES
6 Table 1: Lonasen drug profile
7 Table 2: Lonasen pivotal trial data in schizophrenia
10 Table 3: Lonasen transdermal patch trial data in schizophrenia
11 Table 4: Lonasen ongoing trials in schizophrenia
15 Table 5: Lonasen sales for schizophrenia in Japan ($m), 2017–26