Clinical development of pomaglumetad methionil: a non-dopaminergic treatment for schizophrenia

Pomaglumetad methionil (LY2140023 monohydrate, hereafter referred to as LY2140023) is currently in clinical development as a potential new treatment for schizophrenia. If found to be effective, LY2140023 would represent a novel non-dopaminergic based therapy for this disorder that may restore balance to the glutamate dysregulation hypothesized to underlie schizophrenia. This article presents available clinical trial data that describe the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of LY2140023 in patients with schizophrenia. Data indicate that this compound appears to have an efficacy profile consistent with currently available antipsychotic drugs, although confirmation of its efficacy awaits further clinical testing. LY2140023 is generally well tolerated and appears to have a low association with adverse events related to dopamine D2 receptor antagonism and with weight gain, which are commonly seen with current antipsychotics. A potential association of LY2140023 treatment and seizure events has been identified, although an accurate and reliable understanding of the incidence of these events requires further clinical testing, which is underway. Evaluation of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of LY2140023 is continuing. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.