#Neurocrine #INGREZZA #Tardive Dyskinesia

Neurocrine Biosciences Unveils Promising Analysis on INGREZZA®

Introduction
Neurocrine Biosciences recently presented exciting findings regarding INGREZZA® (valbenazine) at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 39th Annual Conference held in New Orleans. The post-hoc analysis from the KINECT® 4 study indicated that patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) experienced significant and lasting improvements when treated with a continuous dose of 40 mg for 48 weeks.

Study Overview
The KINECT 4 analysis included participants who had moderate to severe TD and assessed the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of INGREZZA. During the study, patients were initially treated with 40 mg of INGREZZA daily, with the flexibility to increase the dosage to 80 mg in response to individual tolerability and clinical feedback. The results revealed that 90% of participants who completed the treatment achieved at least a 50% improvement in their symptoms as measured by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).

Efficacy Results
Results showed that the therapeutic benefits of INGREZZA were both rapid and sustained, highlighting its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of TD. By the end of the 48-week treatment period, almost all patients who received the continuous 40 mg dose had noted vast improvements in their symptoms. The cumulative data pointed to the low dosing being capable of providing meaningful clinical improvements without necessitating a titration process, which is a common requirement in many medications.

Key Findings

1. Improvements in Symptoms:
- A substantial 90% of patients who completed the treatment reached the AIMS response threshold of a ≥50% total score improvement.
- Efficacy measures indicated consistent and clinically meaningful improvements throughout the study duration.

2. Tolerability and Safety:
- Safety assessments aligned with the established profile of INGREZZA, revealing only mild to moderate adverse effects, predominantly sleepiness and tiredness.
- No new safety concerns emerged from the treatment, reassuring patients and healthcare providers alike about the drug's long-term use.

3. Patient-Focused Outcomes:
- Across both treatment groups, over half of participants consistently met the improvement threshold based on clinician assessments (CGI-TD) and self-reports (PGIC) after Week 8.
- 90% reported feeling