Alkermes (NASDAQ:ALKS) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative medicines for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes combines proprietary drug-delivery technologies with patented small molecule and biologic drugs to address areas of high unmet medical need. The company’s portfolio encompasses products for the treatment of addiction, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and depression, with an emphasis on long-acting injectable formulations designed to improve patient adherence and outcomes.
Among Alkermes’s marketed products is VIVITROL®, a once-monthly injectable formulation of naltrexone for alcohol and opioid dependence, developed in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical partner. The company also supplies ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil), a long-acting injectable antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia, and LYBALVI® (olanzapine and samidorphan), an oral therapy for adults with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder. Alkermes leverages its proprietary technologies—such as microsphere and polymer-based delivery systems—to extend the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients, thereby enhancing patient compliance and therapeutic effect.
Alkermes maintains research, development and manufacturing facilities in the United States and Ireland, supporting both its commercial operations and ongoing pipeline programs. Its R&D efforts are concentrated on advancing novel candidates through clinical trials in areas such as major depressive disorder, addiction and schizophrenia. The company collaborates with academic institutions, government agencies and industry partners to expand the scientific understanding of CNS conditions and to accelerate the development of new treatment options.
Under the guidance of a seasoned management team and board of directors, Alkermes has grown through strategic alliances and targeted acquisitions. Since its initial public offering on the NASDAQ in the early 1990s, the company has built a global presence, with commercial and regulatory expertise spanning North America, Europe and other key markets. Alkermes continues to prioritize innovation in drug delivery and therapeutic discovery, aiming to deliver meaningful clinical benefits for patients worldwide and to address the evolving needs of the neuroscience community.
