Hungary's Richter-schizophrenia drug test positive

BUDAPEST, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Hungarian drug producer Richter Gedeon GDRB.BU said that Phase IIb test of the schizophrenia drug cariprazine it is developing with Forest Laboratories (FRX.N) showed positive top-line results.

"For the primary endpoint, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the data showed that patients with schizophrenia treated with cariprazine experienced significant symptom improvement compared to placebo patients within the first week of treatment and at each subsequent time point studied," Richter said on Thursday.

"Based on this latest schizophrenia data, subject to a complete review of the full results, and the previously announced Phase II results in patients suffering from acute mania associated with bipolar I disorder, the companies intend to initiate Phase 3 trials for both indications in early 2010," the company added.

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Erica Billingham)