Bristol Myers Squibb plans to launch Cobenfy (xanomeline and trospium chloride) in the UK in 2026. The UK will be the first country in Europe to make this medicine available for adults living with schizophrenia, a chronic mental health disorder affecting around 1 in 100 people in the UK and associated with a nine-fold increased risk of suicide. The annual societal cost of schizophrenia is estimated at over £9 billion.

Bristol Myers Squibb intends to launch Cobenfy at a UK list price equal to the US list price to reflect the value of this medicine for patients and society. The company plans to submit a marketing authorisation application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) later this year via the International Recognition Procedure (IRP), a fast-track route that leverages prior FDA approval to accelerate UK availability.

Commenting on the announcement, Guy Oliver, general manager, Bristol Myers Squibb UK, said: “Despite the UK’s challenging commercial environment, we are committed to working with the NHS, NICE and other authorities to make this medicine available to all eligible UK patients. However, to enable us to achieve this goal, a new approach is needed. We therefore call on the Government to collaborate with the life sciences sector to increase investment in new medicines and fully recognise the value that innovation brings to patients, society, and the UK’s long-term prosperity.”

Schizophrenia is a complex condition with a lifetime risk of approximately 0.7%, though the overall prevalence in adults is estimated at 1–1.5%. Globally, around 20 million people are affected. Symptoms are treatable with medicines alongside psychological and social support, and early intervention is key to improving outcomes. Despite this, many patients do not receive timely treatment, contributing to poor prognosis. Research suggests schizophrenia may involve changes in brain chemicals such as dopamine, glutamate and serotonin, and may have a genetic component triggered by life events including premature birth, low birth weight or adverse family environments.

The Schizophrenia Commission, established by Rethink Mental Illness in 2011, highlighted the need for improved outcomes through evidence-based care and community support. Its findings informed the understanding of the disorder’s social and economic impact across adults, young people, those in the criminal justice system, the homeless, and people with co-morbid conditions such as substance misuse.