SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) Meets Primary Endpoint In Long-Term Extension Study In Patients With Predominant, Persistent Negative Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) announced that its investigational agent SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) met the primary endpoint over one year of treatment in an extension study in patients with predominant, persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia include apathy, lack of emotion and poor social functioning, among others. In the study, these symptoms were assessed using the validated 16-item Negative Symptom Assessment scale (NSA-16).