---

Illinois-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie has announced that during its phase II clinical trials, emraclidine failed to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in symptoms of schizophrenia compared to placebo.

Consequently, the studies failed to meet their primary endpoint, leaving the company with a decision to make regarding next steps.

Emraclidine is a potential M4-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM) under investigation for the treatment of psychosis associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

It is thought to have the ability to lessen psychotic symptoms by specifically targeting M4 receptors, as opposed to interfering with dopamine, serotonin, and/or histamine receptors, which are thought to be the cause of many of the adverse effects of existing antipsychotics.

---

READ ALSO: FDA to remove phenylephrine as an active ingredient for nasal congestion

---

The trials coded EMPOWER assessed efficacy of emraclidine in comparison to placebo in patients with schizophrenia experiencing an acute exacerbation in their symptoms.

The drug failed to show a statistically significant improvement in patient symptoms.

Abbvie’s executive vice president, Roopal Thakkar, expressed his and the company’s disappointment with the results but stated that Abbvie would continue to analyze the data as they regroup.

Additionally, he thanked the study participants as well as the network of clinical investigative sites involved with the trials.

“We are confident that our innovative pipeline will continue to bring meaningful therapies to patients, and we remain committed to finding better treatments for people living with psychiatric and neurological disorders," stated Roopal.

With AbbVie reiterating its commitment to making advancements in neuroscience, we will have to wait and see how the company plans to navigate this new challenge.

---

Did you find this insightful? Subscribe for more.

---