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TEV ‘749 Survey Shows Many Nurses Prefer Intramuscular Injections, with Andrew Cutler, MD
Cutler told HCPLive it was surprising that a new survey on subcutaneous TEV- ‘749 revealed 50% and 45.5% of nurses and physicians, respectively, preferred intramuscular injections.
Teva Pharmaceuticals announced new TEV- ‘749 data on March 31, 2025, finding that more than 90% of patients, 87% of nurses, and 73% of physicians reported satisfaction about the initiation regimen, monthly dosing schedule, and dosing options of this once-monthly subcutaneous olanzapine long-acting injectable (LAI) for schizophrenia.1,2
The survey was conducted via the phase 3 Subcutaneous Olanzapine Extended-Release Injection Study (SOLARIS), an 8-week, randomized (1:1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating TEV- ‘749. These findings followed other promising SOLARIS data, including the statistically significant mean differences in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score from baseline, as well as the improvements in social functioning and quality of life.
HCPLive spoke with SOLARIS investigator Andrew J. Cutler, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University and chief medical officer at Neuroscience Education Institute, about Teva’s prospective, cross-sectional, observational, online study completed by 70 patients, 11 physicians, and 24 nurses who reported their attitudes on and experiences with LAI treatment, delivery of care, and treatment satisfaction. Cutler discussed the drivers behind the high satisfaction, unexpected findings, and what are the next steps for advancing TEV- ‘749 toward regulatory approval.2
“One of the things that was a little surprising was there were some of the doctors and some of the nurses who actually didn't prefer subcutaneous—they felt more comfortable with an intramuscular injection,” Cutler said. “Some of that is simply their familiarity with intramuscular. They trust it. They know it can work, and they maybe haven't quite yet had enough experience with a subcutaneous delivery to trust it and to feel it was going to be as effective.”
The survey revealed 50% and 45.5% of nurses and physicians preferred intramuscular injections, respectively, opposed to most patients preferring a subcutaneous injection (78.6%).
Cutler explained how certain patient populations may benefit the most from TEV- ‘749, including those who do not adhere to their current treatments. Often, LAIs are not offered to patients until later in their treatment regimen, after they have had multiple relapses. However, as Cutler said, frequent relapses damage the brain and decrease function; Cutler suggests offering these patients LAIs after failing to adhere to 1 or 2 oral medications.
He said the steps for research is studying long-term safety in a certain number of patients to prove TEV- ‘749 is not associated with a risk of Post-Injection Delirium/Sedation Syndrome (PDSS). Cutler added that, until the discovery of new mechanisms of action, the most effective way to maximize an anti-psychotic class’s potential is to use an LAI.
“Sometimes you haven't seen the magic of an LAI until you've seen a consistent therapeutic blood level over time, and the really best way—maybe only way to deliver that—is through a long-acting injection,” Cutler said. “I think we have a lot of work to do on convincing clinicians of the value of LAIs to and overcome some of the barriers to LAI usage, which can include all kinds of things like the formulation, the initiation regimen… [and] some systemic issues.”
References
New Data Strengthens Teva’s Schizophrenia Portfolio, Including Phase 3 SOLARIS Trial Survey Results Demonstrating Patient and Healthcare Professional Satisfaction with TEV-'749 (olanzapine) as a Once-Monthly Subcutaneous Long-Acting Injectable. Teva. March 31, 2025. https://www.tevausa.com/news-and-media/press-releases/new-data-strengthens-tevas-schizophrenia-portfolio-including-phase-3-solaris-trial-survey-results-demon/. Accessed April 21, 2025.
Derman, C. Phase 3 Data Shows TEV-‘749 Injection Improves Social Function in Schizophrenia. HCPLive. November 6, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/phase-3-data-shows-tev--749-injection-improves-social-function-in-schizophrenia. Accessed April 21, 2025.
Derman, C. TEV- ‘749 Once-Monthly LAI Yields High Satisfaction in Phase 3 Trial, with Andrew J. Cutler, MD. HCPLive. April 21, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/tev--749-once-monthly-lai-yields-high-satisfaction-in-phase-3-trial-with-andrew-j-cutler-md. Accessed April 29, 2025.
