Perospirone (Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals).

Perospirone is a serotonin 5-HT2 antagonist and dopamine D2 antagonist developed by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals for the potential treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses [381769]. Its receptor binding profile and animal pharmacology resemble those of other atypical antipsychotic agents, in particular risperidone. In November 2000, CPAC's First Committee on Drugs recommended the approval of this product in Japan, [394007]; approval was granted in December 2000 [396121]. In January 2001, the NHI price was agreed by the Chuikyo [398222] and the drug was added to the NHI price list in February 2001 13982261. It was finally launched in Japan on February 8 2001 [399401]. In November 2000, Sumitomo and Welfide signed an agreement whereby Welfide's subsidiary Yoshitomi Yakuhin will copromote perospirone [394007]. Based on data from the Chuikyo, peak sales of perospirone are forecast to be yen9 billion in the sixth year following launch [398222], [398226]. In February 2001, Sumitomo predicted that perospirone would reach sales of yen10 billion within five to six years [399401].