RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc (RSPI)

[gfp927z]

Neuro, Any thoughts on this new approach for treating acute agitation in Schizo and Bipolar patients?

Rather than the usual IM injection or oral routes, Alexza has an inhaler -- the patient takes a single breath, and the aeorsolized drug is then rapidly absorbed thru the lungs directly into the bloodsteam. The effects are felt faster than via IM injection (10 minutes vrs 20-30 minutes), and being non-invasive, it's less traumatic to the patient who is an agitated state already. Alexza is using the drug Loxapine.

Just curious how well you think this approach might be accepted clinically? Alexza has polled physicians and apparently they like the concept, as it has a much faster onset of action and is a non-threatening route of administration, though it does require some patient cooperation. I wondered though how cooperative patients would be with an inhaler if they are in an agitated state? In their Phase 3s (Schizo and Bipolar Disorder), Alexza says they found that every patient (~800 patients) was able to use the inhaler device.

I see that Alexza is also trying the inhaled technology for acute migraine headaches (Phase 2s). Loxapine didn't work so well for that indication, but they are also trying prochlorperazine.


Thanks for any insights.