Writing the next chapter in neuroscience at BMS

Innovation in treatment for neuropsychiatry has been slow. In some cases, it’s been decades since we’ve seen fundamentally different approaches. But a new chapter is currently being written in this story; one that may offer the millions of people living with neurological conditions innovative treatment options.

In a recent interview, Tania Small, MD, senior vice president, head of medical affairs, provided insight on why accelerating innovation in neuroscience is so important.

Q: Historically speaking there has been a lack of innovation in treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases. What do you attribute this to?

A: The lack of innovation in neuropsychiatric conditions is a multifaceted issue driven by several contributing factors:

• They are far more difficult to diagnose than other areas of medicine. The absence of objective diagnostic measures, like blood tests or imaging, means that care relies heavily on what providers see and hear from their patients and care partners. Unlike fields such as oncology, where biomarkers and advanced imaging technologies enable precise diagnosis and treatment monitoring, neuropsychiatric conditions lack equivalent diagnostic tools. As many as 40% of people living with schizophrenia go untreated; as many as 1 in 4 patients are misdiagnosed. For Alzheimer’s disease, 50% - 70% of patients are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed. This limitation impedes the development of targeted, effective treatments and slows innovation.
• The brain is the most complex organ in the body. It has intricate networks of neurons and neurotransmitters that we are starting to understand better. Historically, this complexity hindered the development of targeted treatments. Managing neurologic diseases has other challenges as well. For example, adults living with schizophrenia have the lowest rates of adherence to medication as compared to other psychiatric illnesses, due to a number of contributing factors. In fact, studies have shown that a majority of people discontinue treatment in the first 18 months. When not properly managed, schizophrenia symptoms can have a significant impact on daily functioning and overall quality of life. It can make it more difficult for a person to develop relationships, pursue an education, live independently or maintain employment. So, developing treatments that address these challenges are critical.
• Many people living with neuropsychiatric conditions also endure the burden of persistent stigma associated with mental health conditions. This creates barriers to seeking care, participating in trials and creating the right support system.

Clearly, more needs to be done for these patients. Here at BMS, we are not just asking ourselves how we can overcome these challenges; we are actively diving in to address them!

Q: It seems like there is growing momentum around innovation in neuropsychiatry. Why do you think that is happening now?

A: To start, consider the number of people who are affected by these conditions. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t directly or indirectly felt their impact. As of 2022, as many as 55 million people suffer from dementia, frequently due to Alzheimer’s disease, and 24 million people around the world are affected by schizophrenia. Millions more are diagnosed with epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease, among others.

There is a growing appreciation that treatment can and should go beyond merely managing symptoms. We are entering an exciting era of discovery, focusing on new receptors and mechanisms of action to address the immense daily struggles patients face related to their illness and to the adverse effects of their treatment. The need to unlock and deliver novel, mechanistically unique and better-tolerated therapies is more pressing than ever. Patients deserve better options that enable them to live fuller lives on their own terms.

It’s exciting to see revitalized energy in neuropsychiatry across the industry. And I am proud that BMS has re-entered the field with renewed ambitions to transform both clinical care and societal perceptions. We are hopeful that the differentiated assets in our neuroscience pipeline will deliver meaningful benefits to patients, truly changing the landscape of treatment.