Company Description
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc (Nasdaq: NBIX) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes treatments for patients with under‑addressed neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuroendocrine, endocrine and immunological disorders. According to the company’s public statements, its portfolio includes U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‑approved medicines for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, alongside a pipeline of compounds in mid‑ to late‑stage clinical development across its core therapeutic areas.
Neurocrine Biosciences describes its purpose as relieving suffering for people with great needs and emphasizes three decades of work in neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems. The company focuses on validated biological pathways in neurology, psychiatry and endocrinology, and reports that it is advancing programs across multiple therapeutic modalities, including vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors, muscarinic agonists and corticotropin‑releasing factor (CRF)‑based therapies for metabolic diseases.
Core commercial medicines
A central commercial product for Neurocrine Biosciences is INGREZZA (valbenazine) capsules and INGREZZA SPRINKLE (valbenazine) capsules. INGREZZA is a selective VMAT2 inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia and for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. Company materials state that INGREZZA offers a therapeutic dose from day one with no required titration and is taken as a once‑daily capsule. INGREZZA SPRINKLE is a sprinkle formulation intended for people who have difficulty swallowing or prefer not to swallow a pill. Approved capsule strengths for both INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg.
Neurocrine Biosciences reports that INGREZZA selectively targets VMAT2 with no appreciable binding affinity for VMAT1, dopaminergic (including D2), serotonergic, adrenergic, histaminergic or muscarinic receptors. Although the specific way INGREZZA works to treat tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s disease chorea is not fully understood, the company explains that selective VMAT2 inhibition is believed to reduce excessive dopamine signaling in brain regions that control movement, which may lead to fewer uncontrollable movements. INGREZZA has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials, including randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled studies and long‑term open‑label studies, with data reported across diverse patient populations.
In addition to INGREZZA, Neurocrine Biosciences highlights CRENESSITY (crinecerfont) as a commercial product in endocrinology. The company describes CRENESSITY as a first‑in‑class therapy that is changing standard of care treatment for patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Net product sales for INGREZZA and CRENESSITY are regularly reported in the company’s financial press releases and related SEC filings.
Therapeutic focus and disease areas
Across its communications, Neurocrine Biosciences consistently emphasizes a focus on:
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD) – a movement disorder characterized by uncontrolled, abnormal and repetitive movements of the face, torso and/or other body parts. TD is associated with the use of certain mental health medicines, including antipsychotics and other prescription medicines such as metoclopramide and prochlorperazine. TD symptoms can range from mild to severe and are often persistent and irreversible. Company materials cite estimates that TD affects at least hundreds of thousands of adults in the United States.
- Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease (HD) – an abnormal involuntary movement disorder that occurs in many people with Huntington’s disease, a hereditary progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Chorea can interfere with motor coordination, gait, swallowing and speech.
- Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) – an endocrine disorder for which the company has an FDA‑approved treatment and where it positions CRENESSITY as a first‑in‑class therapy.
- Neuropsychiatric conditions – including major depressive disorder and schizophrenia, where the company is advancing late‑stage candidates such as osavampator and direclidine.
- Metabolic diseases – including obesity, where Neurocrine Biosciences is expanding a CRF‑based platform focused on the CRF2 receptor.
Research and development pipeline
Neurocrine Biosciences describes its research and development organization as a transformed R&D engine built on genetically or clinically validated mechanisms of action. The company has outlined a diversified pipeline that includes:
- Osavampator – described as a potential first‑in‑class AMPA positive allosteric modulator for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The company has reported positive Phase 2 data (SAVITRI study) showing statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in depression severity and has initiated registration‑enabling Phase 3 trials.
- Direclidine – an M4 muscarinic agonist in Phase 3 development for schizophrenia and in Phase 2 for bipolar mania. Neurocrine Biosciences has initiated a second Phase 3 registrational trial in adults with schizophrenia.
- NBI‑’570 – a dual M1/M4 muscarinic agonist in Phase 2 development as a potential long‑acting injectable treatment for psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.
- NBI‑’569 and NBI‑’567 – muscarinic agonist candidates targeting Alzheimer’s psychosis, Alzheimer’s cognition and Lewy body dementia.
- Next‑generation VMAT2 inhibitors – including NBI‑’890 and NBI‑’675, engineered for increased half‑life and potency and decreased solubility, with the potential for long‑acting injectable administration across multiple central nervous system indications.
- CRF2 agonist NBIP‑’2118 – part of an expanded CRF platform intended as a foundation for a new class of medicines for metabolic diseases, including obesity, with plans to enter Phase 1 development.
- NBI‑1070770 – a selective, orally active negative allosteric modulator of the NMDA NR2B receptor, evaluated in a Phase 2 study as adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder. The company reported that this study did not meet its primary endpoint but indicated that aspects of the data warrant further analysis.
- NBI‑1065890 – a next‑generation VMAT2 inhibitor planned for Phase 2 development in tardive dyskinesia.
Neurocrine Biosciences has also reported on its efforts to deliver multiple new Phase 1 and Phase 2 programs annually by focusing on validated biological mechanisms and leveraging its experience in CRF biology, VMAT2 inhibition and muscarinic receptor pharmacology.
Clinical evidence and publications
The company frequently highlights clinical data supporting INGREZZA and its pipeline assets. Examples include:
- A head‑to‑head positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study comparing VMAT2 target occupancy between INGREZZA and AUSTEDO XR (deutetrabenazine), in which INGREZZA demonstrated higher VMAT2 occupancy at therapeutic doses.
- Post‑hoc analyses from the KINECT‑PRO and KINECT 4 studies showing rapid and sustained improvements in tardive dyskinesia symptoms and patient‑reported outcomes with once‑daily INGREZZA, including data at the 40 mg dose.
- A narrative review in the journal CNS Spectrums that consolidates pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic and clinical data on FDA‑approved VMAT2 inhibitors for tardive dyskinesia and highlights the distinct profile of INGREZZA, including selective VMAT2 targeting, simplified dosing without required titration and extensive clinical data across diverse patient populations.
Financial reporting and public company status
Neurocrine Biosciences is incorporated in Delaware and files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Recent Form 8‑K filings reference quarterly financial results, including net product sales for INGREZZA and CRENESSITY, research and development expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses, and net income. The company also uses non‑GAAP financial measures, such as non‑GAAP R&D expense, non‑GAAP SG&A expense and non‑GAAP net income, which adjust for items including non‑cash stock‑based compensation, changes in fair value of equity investments and certain other non‑cash or non‑operational items.
These filings confirm that Neurocrine Biosciences remains an active, publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol NBIX and continues to report its operating results, pipeline progress and corporate developments through press releases and SEC disclosures.
Business model and focus areas
Based on its public descriptions, Neurocrine Biosciences’ business model centers on:
- Discovery and development of small‑molecule and other therapeutics targeting validated pathways in neuroscience and endocrinology.
- Regulatory approval and commercialization of medicines for under‑addressed disorders, particularly movement disorders, neuropsychiatric conditions and endocrine diseases.
- Lifecycle management of key brands such as INGREZZA, including new formulations like INGREZZA SPRINKLE and exploration of additional indications.
- Collaborations with partners, including arrangements where certain products (such as endometriosis and uterine fibroid treatments) are developed or commercialized in collaboration with another pharmaceutical company.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What does Neurocrine Biosciences Inc do?
Neurocrine Biosciences is a neuroscience‑focused biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes treatments for under‑addressed neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuroendocrine, endocrine and immunological disorders. Its portfolio includes FDA‑approved medicines for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, as well as a pipeline of investigational therapies. - What is INGREZZA and what conditions does it treat?
INGREZZA (valbenazine) capsules and INGREZZA SPRINKLE (valbenazine) capsules are selective VMAT2 inhibitors developed by Neurocrine Biosciences. They are FDA‑approved prescription medicines used to treat adults with tardive dyskinesia and adults with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. INGREZZA is taken once daily and offers a therapeutic dose from the first day of treatment without required titration. - How does INGREZZA work according to the company?
Neurocrine Biosciences states that INGREZZA selectively and specifically targets VMAT2 to inhibit the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps control movement. While the precise mechanism for treating tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s disease chorea is not fully understood, INGREZZA is believed to reduce extra dopamine signaling in movement‑controlling brain regions, which may lead to fewer uncontrollable movements. - What other approved treatments are in Neurocrine Biosciences’ portfolio?
Company disclosures indicate that Neurocrine Biosciences’ portfolio includes FDA‑approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. CRENESSITY (crinecerfont) is highlighted as a first‑in‑class therapy for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Treatments for endometriosis and uterine fibroids are noted as being in collaboration with AbbVie. - What are Neurocrine Biosciences’ main research and development priorities?
Neurocrine Biosciences focuses its R&D on neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuroendocrine and metabolic diseases. Key programs include osavampator for major depressive disorder, direclidine and other muscarinic agonists for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar mania, next‑generation VMAT2 inhibitors for central nervous system indications, and CRF‑based therapies for metabolic diseases including obesity. - How does the company describe its experience in neuroscience?
The company states that it has spent three decades building insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems. This experience underpins its selection of targets such as VMAT2, muscarinic receptors and CRF receptors, and informs its approach to treating complex conditions that involve both neurological and endocrine pathways. - What types of disorders does Neurocrine Biosciences target with its pipeline?
Neurocrine Biosciences targets a range of disorders including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar mania, Alzheimer’s psychosis, Alzheimer’s cognition, Lewy body dementia, tardive dyskinesia and other movement disorders, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and metabolic diseases such as obesity. Many of these programs are in mid‑ to late‑stage clinical development. - Is Neurocrine Biosciences still an active public company?
Yes. Recent press releases and Form 8‑K filings show that Neurocrine Biosciences continues to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol NBIX, reports quarterly financial results, advances clinical programs and participates in investor and healthcare conferences. - Where does Neurocrine Biosciences generate revenue according to its disclosures?
In its financial press releases and related SEC filings, the company reports net product sales primarily from INGREZZA and CRENESSITY, along with other revenues such as collaboration revenue. Detailed revenue figures and trends are provided in its quarterly and annual financial disclosures. - How does Neurocrine Biosciences describe its overall mission?
Neurocrine Biosciences describes its purpose as relieving suffering for people with great needs. It emphasizes a commitment to discovering and developing life‑changing treatments for patients with under‑addressed neurological, neuroendocrine, neuropsychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders and refers to its work as “brave science.”