AsianScientist (Aug. 27, 2011) – H. Lundbeck A/S announced this week that its partners Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Mochida) and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) have launched Lexapro® 10 mg (escitalopram) in Japan.
According to Lundbeck, Lexapro has been very well-received by the patients and doctors for the treatment of depression in many countries, and is currently the most prescribed branded anti-depressant globally.
The number of people diagnosed with depression in Japan is increasing every year and is currently estimated to exceed one million. Before Lexapro’s entry, In 2010, the Japanese anti-depressant market had a value of JPY 135 billion (US$1.76 billion), up 10.7 percent from 2009 according to IMS Japan.
The three most sold antidepressants in Japan were by the end of 2010 were paroxetine with a value market share of 37 percent, sertraline with a share of 20 percent and fluvoxamine with a share of 15 percent.
In May 2002, Lundbeck entered into a license agreement with Mochida for the development and commercialization of escitalopram in Japan. In January 2010, Mochida announced that the company had signed an agreement to co-market escitalopram in Japan with MTPC.
The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but Lundbeck will 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.
“It is a milestone in our global expansion strategy that Lexapro® is now available in Japan following a fast regulatory process,” said Lundbeck Senior Vice President Ole Chrintz, International Markets. “We are pleased that Lexapro® will now also contribute to improving quality of life for patients in Japan diagnosed with depression.”
Mochida and MTPC estimate sales of Lexapro® amounting to JPY 3 billion (US$39 million) for the first year following the launch and JPY 33.8 billion ($440 million) six years later at its peak.
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Source: H. Lundbeck A/S.
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