Janssen Launches Long-Acting Injection Invega Hafyera (Paliperidone Palmitate 6-Month) in China for Adult Schizophrenia

China Finance and Economics News, November 6th: Today at the 7th CIIE, Johnson & Johnson announced the official launch in China of its long-acting injectable drug, Sustenna, which is administered every six months for adult patients with schizophrenia who have received adequate treatment with Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (3M) for at least three months.

In 2022, Silexan (Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (6M), INVEGA HAFYERA, English name: Paliperidone Palmitate Injection (6M)) made its debut in China as the "world's first twice-a-year long-acting injectable antipsychotic." This release marks Silexan’s third appearance at the "Four-Leaf Clover" event. Thanks to the spillover effects of the CIIE, this innovative drug, which has been exhibited for three consecutive years, received approval from the National Medical Products Administration in June this year, achieving the transformation from "exhibit to product." In October this year, Silexan officially entered hospitals in multiple regions across China, successfully benefiting the first group of patients.

As a new member of the Johnson & Johnson long-acting injectable family, Sustenna X achieves continuous treatment and symptom control for up to six months by slowly releasing into the bloodstream at the injection site. Building on existing products (Sustenna, administered once a month, and Trinza, administered once every three months), Johnson & Johnson has continued to optimize its offerings based on the actual medication needs of schizophrenia patients, providing durable, stable, and upgradeable treatment solutions for the entire course of treatment and management of schizophrenia.

Data show that schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder caused by the interaction of genetic, biological, and environmental factors, often accompanied by impairments in perception, thinking, emotion, and behavior. Due to its long course, severe symptoms, and susceptibility to relapse, schizophrenia imposes a significant disease burden on patients, their families, and society. A multicenter retrospective study involving 992 Chinese schizophrenia patients revealed a one-year post-discharge relapse rate as high as 33.4%, with treatment interruption or self-adjusted medication reduction being key contributors to disease recurrence.

Compared with oral medications, long-acting injectables (LAIs) offer several advantages in the treatment of schizophrenia, including improved patient adherence, eliminating the need for repeated reminders for medication intake, increased convenience, and reduced risk of accidental or overdose incidents. LAIs with longer dosing intervals can provide better support for disease management, helping patients achieve the ultimate goal of returning to their families and society. As demonstrated by a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority global Phase 3 clinical trial, at the end of 12 months, Sustenna showed non-inferiority to Trinza in preventing relapse (i.e., comparable therapeutic effects). Additionally, results from an open-label extension study based on this research indicated that 96.1% of schizophrenia patients treated with Sustenna remained relapse-free after two years.

"The CIIE is not only an excellent platform for showcasing achievements, but also an important window for us to accelerate the availability of innovative drugs for Chinese patients," said Cherry Huang, President of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Pharmaceuticals China. "From one injection per month, three months to six months, by continuously upgrading our long-acting injectable product line, Johnson & Johnson has been committed to providing more convenient and stable treatment options for Chinese patients with schizophrenia. In the future, we will continue to collaborate with all partners to improve drug accessibility and ensure that our breakthrough innovations can help more patients return to normal life."