CARDIFF, CA--(Marketwire - February 2, 2009) - NI Research has released the February issue of NeuroInvestment, which reviews the status and prospects of treatments for schizophrenia, the most devastating of all psychiatric illnesses. Schizophrenia is estimated to affect approximately three million Americans, and current antipsychotic drugs have only managed to shift the majority of those patients from hospital wards to the outskirts of society. Contemporary drugs fail miserably at the task of rekindling cognitive functioning and motivation for these patients, and often involve side effects that have major health implications, such as obesity and diabetes.

This review discusses the 'me too' variations of current drugs under development, but the main focus of the review is upon the next generation of treatments for schizophrenia. This includes the most promising biochemical pathways for addressing cognitive/negative symptoms; including glutamatergic, nicotinic, muscarinic, and 5HT-6 targets; as well as a neuroprotection/regeneration approach to schizophrenia (Allon Therapeutics (TSX: NPC)).

Among the companies whose programs are covered in this review are:

Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Alexza Pharmceuticals
Allon Therapeutics
ARYx Therapeutics
AstraZeneca
Azur Pharmaceuticals
Cephalon
Clera
Corcept Therapeutics
EnVivo Pharmaceuticals
Galenea
Intra-Cellular Therapies
Laboratoires Pierre Fabré
Lilly
Lundbeck
Merck
Mithridion
NeuroSearch
Otsuka
Pfizer
Roche
Schering-Plough
Targacept
Vanda Pharmaceuticals

The February issue of NeuroInvestment also takes a closer look at the battle for control now underway between Avigen and minority shareholder Biotechnology Value Fund; the FDA vote on Ovation Pharma's Sabril; the acute agitation inhalant alternative being developed by Alexza Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXA); and the role of biomarkers in schizophrenia trials. The issue also includes a review of addictions specialist Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners.

The January issue surveyed the neurotherapeutics sector and reviewed Synosia Therapeutics. Coming issues will cover migraine, stroke, and pain therapeutics.

About NeuroInvestment: NeuroInvestment is the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area. A one-year subscription is $1700, email or hardcopy. Add $250 for dual delivery, add $50 for airmail delivery outside North America. A three-month trial subscription is US$500.

A $1200 introductory rate for new subscribers only is currently being offered for subscription orders placed before March 1.

A recent sample issue of NeuroInvestment is available for download at: http://www.neuroinvestment.com/NewNeuroInvestment.html.

NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the neuropharmaceutical/therapeutic industry. NI Research has published NeuroInvestment since 1995, the Private CNS Company Review since 2003; and CNS Disorders/Therapeutics, an annual compendium of all neuro-oriented R&D programs, since 2007.

NI Research has developed an unmatched information base regarding both publicly and privately held neuro-oriented companies, and offers M&A/licensing consultation and custom research for large and small pharmaceutical firms.