Lundbeck and Takeda have presented more positive late-stage data on their recently-filed antidepressant Brintellix.
The partners gave details of four studies at the American Psychiatric Association meeting in San Francisco evaluating Brintellix (vortioxetine) in doses ranging from 10-20 mg per day. Three of the four demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall symptoms of depression compared to placebo; the fourth study, involving 10mg and 15mg doses, failed to meet its primary endpoint.
Brintellix is thought to work through a combination of two mechanisms of action: receptor activity modulation and reuptake inhibition. It has been filed on both sides of the Atlantic and is seen as an important treatment for Lundbeck as it faces up to the loss of patent protection on its flagship antidepressant Cipralex (escitalopram), known as Lexapro in the USA where it is sold by Forest Laboratories.
The Danish drugmaker and Takeda quoted Madhukar Trivedi at UT Southwestern Medical Center, as saying that “as a clinician, I’m encouraged by these data [as] they represent an important addition to the broader clinical profile for vortioxetine and support its potential as a new treatment for patients living with MDD”. He added that it is important to seek new options in depression because, “even though there are effective treatments available, many patients remain symptomatic”.
