* Lexapro(®) - the most prescribed branded antidepressant in the world - will
now also be available to Japanese patients
* Clinical phase III studies in Japan have confirmed the efficacy and
tolerability of Lexapro(®)
* Lundbeck expects Lexapro(®) in Japan to provide a meaningful contribution to
Lundbeck's financial performance as early as 2012.
H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) today announced that our partner Mochida
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Mochida) has obtained approval of Lexapro(®) 10 mg
(escitalopram) from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
Lundbeck has partnered with Mochida, which conducted the development of
Lexapro(®) in Japan. Lexapro(®) will, as a new treatment option, contribute to
improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from depression.
Mochida and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Mitsubishi Tanabe) will co-
promote the product, and Yoshitomiyakuhin Corporation, a subsidiary of
Mitsubishi Tanabe, will participate in the promotion. This means that the launch
will be supported by more than 2,000 sales representatives, which is fully
competitive in the Japanese market. The schedule for the launch of Lexapro(®)
will be announced after its National Health Insurance price listing.
"We are very pleased that the Japanese authorities have approved Lexapro(®), as
this will soon make Lexapro(®) available to the many people suffering from
depression in Japan," says Lundbeck Senior Vice President Ole Chrintz,
International Markets. He continues: "As in the rest of the world, we are
convinced that Lexapro(®) will prove to be a valuable treatment option for
people with major depression in Japan."
The Japanese antidepressant market
In 2010, the Japanese antidepressant market had a value of JPY 135 billion (EUR
~1bn), up 10.7% from 2009 according to IMS Japan. The three most sold
antidepressants in Japan were by the end of 2010 paroxetine with a value market
share of 37%, sertraline with a share of 20% and fluvoxamine with a share of
15%.
The number of patients with depression in Japan is increasing every year and is
currently estimated to exceed one million. Escitalopram has been very well
received by patients and doctors worldwide for the treatment of depression and
will offer a new treatment option for patients with depression in Japan.
Mochida and Lundbeck alliance
In May 2002, Lundbeck entered into a license agreement with Mochida for the
development and commercialisation of escitalopram in Japan. In January 2010,
Mochida announced that the company had signed an agreement to co-promote
escitalopram in Japan with Mitsubishi Tanabe.
The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but Lundbeck is to
receive regulatory milestone payments and royalties on sales.
In Japan, Mochida began the development of escitalopram in 2002 and conducted
clinical trials in patients with depression. The results of these studies
confirmed its efficacy and tolerability, which has led to the filing and
subsequent approval of escitalopram.
Financial guidance
The content of this release will have no influence on the Lundbeck Group's
financial guidance for 2011 which was provided on 24 February 2011 in connection
with the release of the financial results for 2010.
Lundbeck contacts
Investors: Media:
Palle Holm Olesen Mads Kronborg
Chief Specialist, Investor Relations Media Relations Manager
+45 36 43 24 26 +45 36 43 28 51
Magnus Thorstholm Jensen Simon Mehl Augustesen
Investor Relations Officer International Media Specialist
+45 36 43 38 16 +45 36 43 49 80
Jacob Tolstrup
Vice President
+1 847 282 5713
About Lundbeck
H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUKY) is an international pharmaceutical
company highly committed to improving the quality of life for people suffering
from central nervous system (CNS) disorders. For this purpose, Lundbeck is
engaged in the research, development, production, marketing and sale of
pharmaceuticals across the world. The company's products are targeted at
disorders such as depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, epilepsy and
Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen, Denmark. Today
Lundbeck employs approximately 5,900 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the
world's leading pharmaceutical companies working with CNS disorders. In 2010,
the company's revenue was DKK 14.8 billion (approximately EUR 2.0 billion or USD
2.6 billion). For more information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.
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