TOKYO & COPENHAGEN, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) and H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) today announced that the first phase III data on their investigational compound brexpiprazole will be presented in an upcoming poster session at the 22nd European Psychiatry Association Congress (EPA) on March 2, 2014.
Data will be presented from a completed phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigating the effect of brexpiprazole as adjunctive therapy to antidepressant therapy in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Overall, brexpiprazole demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated as an adjunctive treatment for MDD patients with an inadequate response to antidepressant treatment.
At the EPA congress, highlighted data on brexpiprazole as adjunctive therapy to anti-depressant therapy in MDD will include:
- Statistically significant improvements in mean MADRS total score for patients receiving adjunctive brexpiprazole compared with placebo. MADRS (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) is a commonly used scale to assess the range of symptoms in patients with major depression
- A statistically significant advantage over placebo on all secondary endpoints
- Most common adverse events reported in the patients receiving adjunctive brexpiprazole were weight gain and akathisia (inner restlessness)
- Over 90% of patients completed the randomized phase of the trial
Additional information provided in the poster presentation at the EPA congress will be publicly disclosed at that time.
Otsuka and Lundbeck are running an extensive development program for brexpiprazole. Three additional studies in depression and schizophrenia will conclude in the first half of 2014. Phase III clinical trials are also underway in patients with agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
About brexpiprazole (OPC-34712)
Brexpiprazole is a novel
investigational psychotherapeutic compound discovered by Otsuka and
under co-development with Lundbeck. Brexpiprazole is a so-called
serotonin dopamine activity modulator (SDAM) acting as a partial agonist
at 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors at similar
potency, and an antagonist at 5-HT2A and noradrenaline alpha1B
receptors. It is hypothesized to provide improved efficacy and
tolerability over established adjunctive treatments for MDD.
About Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy:
'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.'
Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative and
original products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products for the
treatment of diseases and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of
everyday health.
In pharmaceuticals, Otsuka is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and also has research programs for several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue. These commitments illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a “big venture” company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does.
Otsuka is a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., the holding company for the Otsuka Group. The chairman Akihiko Otsuka is the third generation of Otsuka family members to lead the business, whose origins date from 1921. The Otsuka Group employs approximately 42,000 people globally and its products are available in more than 80 countries worldwide. Consolidated sales were approximately €10 billion or USD 13 billion for fiscal year 2012 (4/1/2012-3/31/2013). Otsuka Pharmaceutical welcomes you to visit its global website at https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/
About H. Lundbeck A/S
Lundbeck is a global pharmaceutical
company highly committed to improving the quality of life of people
living with brain diseases. For this purpose, Lundbeck is engaged in the
entire value chain throughout research, development, production,
marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals across the world. The company’s
products are targeted at disorders such as depression and anxiety,
psychotic disorders, epilepsy, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
diseases. Lundbeck’s pipeline consists of several mid- to late-stage
development programmes.
Lundbeck employs more than 5,800 people worldwide, 2,000 of whom are based in Denmark. We have research in 57 countries and our products are registered in more than 100 countries. We have research centers in Denmark, China and the United States and production facilities in Italy, France, Mexico, China and Denmark. Lundbeck generated revenue of approximately DKK 15 billion in 2012. For additional information, we encourage you to visit our corporate site www.lundbeck.com.
