Alkermes plc

Last updated
Alkermes plc
Company type Public
Industry Biotechnology
Founded1987;37 years ago (1987)
FounderMichael Wall
Headquarters,
Key people
Richard Pops (CEO)
RevenueIncrease2.svg US$1.1 billion (2022) [2]
Decrease2.svg US$-20.5 million
Decrease2.svg US$-158 million (2022)
Total assets Increase2.svg US$1.9 billion
Total equity Increase2.svg US$1 billion
Number of employees
2,100
Website www.alkermes.com

Alkermesplc is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing medicines for psychiatric and neurological disorders. The company was founded in 1987 by Michael Wall. [3] In September 2011 Alkermes, Inc. merged with Elan Drug Technologies (EDT), the former drug formulation and manufacturing division of Élan Corporation, plc. [4] The company is headquartered in Dublin, and has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts, and manufacturing facilities in Athlone, Ireland, and Wilmington, Ohio. [1]

Contents

Products

Alkermes has four proprietary commercial drug products [5] approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. These include olanzapine and samidorphan (Lybalvi), an atypical antipsychotic and opioid modulator combination intended for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder; aripiprazole lauroxil (Aristada), a long-acting injectable for schizophrenia; and naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension (Vivitrol) for alcohol and opioid dependence.

Other products utilizing Alkermes' proprietary technologies include: diroximel fumarate (Vumerity) for multiple sclerosis, risperidone (microspheres) long-acting injectable (Risperdal Consta) for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna, Invega Trinza and Invega Hafyerain in the U.S., Xeplion, Trevicta and Bynnali in Europe) for schizophrenia. [6] [7]

In October 2023, Alkermes announced its first data related to its orexin 2 receptor (OXR2) agonist, ALKS 2680. ALKS 2680 is in development for the treatment of narcolepsy. [8]

In November 2023, Alkermes completed the planned separation of its oncology business into a new company, Mural Oncology, which plans to continue to work on the investigational interleukin-2 (IL-2) drug, nevaleukin alfa. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haloperidol</span> Typical antipsychotic medication

Haloperidol, sold under the brand name Haldol among others, is a typical antipsychotic medication. Haloperidol is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, tics in Tourette syndrome, mania in bipolar disorder, delirium, agitation, acute psychosis, and hallucinations from alcohol withdrawal. It may be used by mouth or injection into a muscle or a vein. Haloperidol typically works within 30 to 60 minutes. A long-acting formulation may be used as an injection every four weeks by people with schizophrenia or related illnesses, who either forget or refuse to take the medication by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Risperidone</span> Antipsychotic medication

Risperidone, sold under the brand name Risperdal among others, is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is taken either by mouth or by injection. The injectable versions are long-acting and last for 2–4 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olanzapine</span> Atypical antipsychotic medication

Olanzapine, sold under the brand name Zyprexa among others, is an atypical antipsychotic primarily used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For schizophrenia, it can be used for both new-onset disease and long-term maintenance. It is taken by mouth or by injection into a muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aripiprazole</span> Atypical antipsychotic

Aripiprazole, sold under the brand names Abilify and Aristada, among others, is an atypical antipsychotic. It is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; other uses include as an add-on treatment in major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, and irritability associated with autism. Aripiprazole is taken by mouth or via injection into a muscle. A Cochrane review found low-quality evidence of effectiveness in treating schizophrenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buprenorphine</span> Opioid used to treat pain & opioid use disorder

Buprenorphine, sold under the brand name Subutex among others, is an opioid used to treat opioid use disorder, acute pain, and chronic pain. It can be used under the tongue (sublingual), in the cheek (buccal), by injection, as a skin patch (transdermal), or as an implant. For opioid use disorder, the patient must have moderate opioid withdrawal symptoms before buprenorphine can be administered under direct observation of a health-care provider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naltrexone</span> Medication

Naltrexone, sold under the brand name Revia among others, is a medication primarily used to manage alcohol use or opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and feelings of euphoria associated with substance use disorder. It has also been found effective in the treatment of other addictions and may be used for them off-label. An opioid-dependent person should not receive naltrexone before detoxification. It is taken by mouth or by injection into a muscle. Effects begin within 30 minutes, though a decreased desire for opioids may take a few weeks to occur. Side effects may include trouble sleeping, anxiety, nausea, and headaches. In those still on opioids, opioid withdrawal may occur. Use is not recommended in people with liver failure. It is unclear if use is safe during pregnancy. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist and works by blocking the effects of opioids, including both opioid drugs as well as opioids naturally produced in the brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dopamine antagonist</span> Drug which blocks dopamine receptors

A dopamine antagonist, also known as an anti-dopaminergic and a dopamine receptor antagonist (DRA), is a type of drug which blocks dopamine receptors by receptor antagonism. Most antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists, and as such they have found use in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and stimulant psychosis. Several other dopamine antagonists are antiemetics used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.

Dysphoria is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. It is the semantic opposite of euphoria. In a psychiatric context, dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paliperidone</span> Antipsychotic medication

Paliperidone, sold under the brand name Invega among others, is an atypical antipsychotic. It is mainly used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It is marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nalmefene</span> Opioid antagonist

Nalmefene is a medication that is used in the treatment of opioid overdose and alcohol dependence. Nalmefene belongs to the class of opioid antagonists and can be taken by mouth, administered by injection, or delivered through nasal administration.

The orexin receptor (also referred to as the hypocretin receptor) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that binds the neuropeptide orexin. There are two variants, OX1 and OX2, each encoded by a different gene (HCRTR1, HCRTR2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lurasidone</span> Atypical antipsychotic medication

Lurasidone, sold under the brand name Latuda among others, is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinical neurochemistry</span>

Clinical neurochemistry is the field of neurological biochemistry which relates biochemical phenomena to clinical symptomatic manifestations in humans. While neurochemistry is mostly associated with the effects of neurotransmitters and similarly functioning chemicals on neurons themselves, clinical neurochemistry relates these phenomena to system-wide symptoms. Clinical neurochemistry is related to neurogenesis, neuromodulation, neuroplasticity, neuroendocrinology, and neuroimmunology in the context of associating neurological findings at both lower and higher level organismal functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samidorphan</span> Opioid antagonist

Samidorphan is an opioid antagonist that in the form of olanzapine/samidorphan is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Samidorphan reduces the weight gain associated with olanzapine. Samidorphan is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buprenorphine/samidorphan</span> Combination drug formulation

Buprenorphine/samidorphan is a combination formulation of buprenorphine and samidorphan which is under development as an add on to antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buprenorphine/naloxone</span> Opioid treatment

Buprenorphine/naloxone, sold under the brand name Suboxone among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication that includes buprenorphine and naloxone. It is used to treat opioid use disorder, and reduces the mortality of opioid use disorder by 50%. It relieves cravings to use and withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine/­naloxone is available for use in two different forms, under the tongue or in the cheek.

Indivior is a specialty pharmaceuticals business. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. It is also listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daridorexant</span> Medication used to treat insomnia

Daridorexant, sold under the brand name Quviviq, is an orexin antagonist medication which is used for the treatment of insomnia. Daridorexant is taken by mouth.

References

  1. 1 2 Robert Weisman (10 May 2011). "Alkermes to buy Irish drug maker". Boston Globe.
  2. "Alkermes PLC".
  3. "Alkermes And Richard Pops — The Evolution Of A Company And Its Leader". LifeScienceLeader.com. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  4. "Alkermes Reels In Elan's Drug Technology Business". Forbes.com. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  5. "Alkermes, Inc. Company Information". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  6. "U.S. Third-Party Medicines | Alkermes". www.alkermes.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  7. "Alkermes EU Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Products | Alkermes". www.alkermes.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  8. "Orexin Receptor ALKS 2680 Demonstrates Positive Phase 1 Findings". Neurology live. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  9. "Alkermes separates cancer drug business as new company Mural". BioPharma Dive. Retrieved 2023-11-22.