Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by psychosis and major disturbances in perception, thinking, and behavior, often causing substantial functional impairment across life domains. It is associated with persistent delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought or behavior.
New genomic studies show a practical recall-by-genotype strategy for psychiatry, shared genetic liability across psychiatric and physical conditions, and improved disease prediction using disease-history trajectories.
Tortugas Neuroscience and Korsana Biosciences emerged with significant funding to advance clinical-stage pipelines targeting neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Tortugas raised $106 million, while Korsana secured $175 million to develop therapies for conditions including Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and epilepsy.
Studies reveal context-dependent genetic effects in psychiatric disorders, reassuring evidence on prenatal antidepressant use, and findings on parental depression timing, diagnostic interview reliability, and rising self-diagnosis.
Helus Pharma announced publication in Nature Medicine of Phase 2a trial results showing its short-acting psychedelic SPL026 met its primary endpoint with significant reductions in depressive symptoms at two weeks in moderate-to-severe MDD patients. The company also appointed a new SVP of Medical Affairs and is advancing HLP003 (Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA) and HLP004 in its pipeline.
Advances in precision mental health research include TMS findings published in Nature Molecular Psychiatry showing targeted brain stimulation can address specific depression and anxiety symptoms, the launch of the three-year GlobalMinds NHS genomic study analyzing 49,000 DNA samples, and the new $1 million Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science.
BioXcel completed a market assessment for at-home IGALMI use, finding strong prescriber and payer interest. The company submitted an sNDA for at-home use in acute agitation associated with bipolar disorders or schizophrenia.
Researchers found a schizophrenia biomarker, CACNA2D1, and corrected brain circuit problems in mice. A grin2a gene mutation disrupts belief-updating; new cholinergic antipsychotics are emerging.
The global schizophrenia drugs market is projected to grow from USD 9.1 billion in 2026 to USD 15.8 billion by 2036 at a 5.8% CAGR. Long-acting injectables and second-generation antipsychotics lead the market.
Laguna won FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for a blood-based schizophrenia test, while Neurocrine dosed the first patient in a Phase 2 trial of NBI-1117570.
Eli Lilly has launched two Phase 2 trials for brenipatide (LY3537031): RENEW-Op-1 for opioid use disorder and RENEW-Scz-1 for schizophrenia. Both are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that are not yet recruiting as of February 2026.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07772349 |
Enhancing Brain Connectivity in Schizophrenia Through Neuromodulation (Study 3) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07767526 |
Xingqi Daozhi Decoction for Antipsychotic-Induced Constipation |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07755605 |
Digital Therapeutics for Social Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07745140 |
The Effect of Combined Brain Stimulation and Exercise for Improving Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07742280 |
A Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Brexpiprazole for Extended-Release Injection in Subjects With Schizophrenia |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2/PHASE3 |
| NCT07741981 |
Treatment Resistance in Psychiatric Disorders: the Search for Biological Markers Predictive of Response to Treatment |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07734493 |
A Study of LTX-001 In Adult Participants With Acute Exacerbation of Schizophrenia |
RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07722728 |
A Study to Investigate Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of B2227 Extended-Release Injectable Suspension and Vraylar® in Participants With Schizophrenia |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2/PHASE3 |
| NCT07715253 |
Longitudinal PET Imaging of Antipsychotic Binding to the Dopamine-3 Receptor in Schizophrenia |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07710989 |
LIFU Effects & Outcomes: Mechanisms Evaluating Striatal Systems Imaging (LEO MESSI) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
