Trial shows hope for schizophrenia drug--Lilly

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Sunday that a clinical trial produced positive results for its experimental drug that treats schizophrenia using a new method with fewer side effects.

Lilly said an investigational, phase II study showed that patients using its drug designated LY2140023 had statistically significant improvement versus those taking placebos.

The drug also did not produce some of the adverse side effects of current schizophrenia treatment, such as involuntary movement, muscle stiffness or weight gain.

Most currently approved anti-psychotic medications work by affecting the neurotransmitters dopamine or serotonin. For Lilly's new drug, the active substance is thought to work by affecting another neurotransmitter, glutamate.

"Additional and longer-term studies are needed to confirm and extend these exciting initial findings. However, these data suggest that (the drug) may provide a new alternative for the treatment of this often devastating condition," said Steven Paul, Lilly's executive vice president of science and technology in a statement.

A total of 196 patients with schizophrenia were part of the trial, and 118 patients completed the four weeks of planned study treatment, according to the company.

(Reporting by Lisa Lee)

((Editing by Kenneth Barry; Reuters Messaging: lisa.lee.reuters.com@reuters.net; +1 646 223 6129)) Keywords: LILLY DRUG/SCHIZOPHRENIA

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