Lundbeck psyched up

H. Lundbeck A/S's deal with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for two late-stage programs is designed to take the Danish pharma beyond replacing patent-related revenue losses, giving it products to establish a foothold in the U.S. psychiatry market in advance of launching its own depression drug.

In November, the companies partnered to co-develop and co-commercialize two late-stage programs from Otsuka and up to three programs from Lundbeck. The deal includes Otsuka's once-monthly depot formulation of aripiprazole for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, which FDA accepted for review on Nov. 22. The PDUFA date is undisclosed...