Exploration of current situation of psychotropic drugs research and development in China based on drug clinical trials.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the current status of research and development (R&D) of psychotropic drugs.

Methods: Retrieved psychotropic drugs clinical trials (PDCTs) registered in China from 2019 to 2024 using the platform of chinadrugtrials.org.cn, and systematically analyzed the data.

Results: Included four perspectives: 1) for general information, we screened 1377 PDCTs, with phase bioequivalency (BE) accounting for the majority (78.5%), covering 411 pharmaceutical companies and 212 leading institutions, and the start-up time in 2024 was significantly shortened (P < 0.05); 2) for indications, 11 indications were involved, with the highest number of PDCTs for depression (30.9%); 3) for drugs, 222 drugs were involved, of which 52 were innovative drugs (33 with disclosed targets), and 13 were improved new drugs with six administration routes; 4) for trial design, four exploratory designs were retrieved, including population pharmacokinetics (9), pharmacogenomics (12), biomarker detection (3), and drug combination (3).

Conclusions: In recent years, clinical trials of psychotropic drugs in China have been developing. Innovative targets discovery, dosage forms/drug delivery systems optimization, and exploratory designs have the potential to break the current treatment dilemma. This study introduced the hotspots and potential development directions of psychotropic drugs R&D in China from the above aspects, providing new ideas for psychiatric treatment, drug development, and clinical trial methods.