Experts hail new schizophrenia drug Cobenfy as groundbreaking and “first of its kind”

British scientists have welcomed the US approval of a new drug for schizophrenia, saying it has “the potential to transform the lives of millions of people”.

The “major advance” in treatment offers a completely new drug approach to treating the condition, which can cause terrifying hallucinations, delusions and social withdrawal.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the new drug Cobenfy, owned by the American pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb.

The FDA's approval was based on data from two studies that showed patients experienced fewer symptoms of schizophrenia.