05:15 PM EDT, 05/28/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Neurocrine Biosciences ( NBIX ) said Wednesday its NBI-1117568 drug candidate to treat schizophrenia showed a significant improvement in symptoms and overall severity in a phase 2 trial.

"This compound is promising as it is a direct and selective muscarinic M4 receptor agonist, which is believed to be a key regulator of neurotransmitters impacted by schizophrenia,"

said Chief Medical Officer Eiry Roberts.

"We look forward to advancing its development in the Phase 3 registrational program."

The drug candidate was generally safe and well tolerated at all doses studied, with treatment discontinuation rates due to adverse events similar between NBI-1117568 and placebo, the company said.

The results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.