Asenapine

Asenapine (USAN, rINNM and BANM; trade names Saphris (AU, US, RU), Sycrest (EU, UK)) is an atypical antipsychotic developed for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania associated with bipolar disorder by Schering-Plough after its November 19, 2007 merger with Organon International. Development of the drug, through Phase III trials, began while Organon was still a part of Akzo Nobel. Preliminary data indicate that it has minimal anticholinergic and cardiovascular side effects, as well as minimal weight gain. Over 3000 patients have participated in clinical trials of asenapine, and the FDA approved the manufacturer's NDA in August 2009.