Otsuka compound meets depression endpoint

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) said OPC-34712 as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy met the primary endpoint in a Phase II trial to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). The partial agonist of the dopamine D2 receptor with affinity for multiple serotonin receptors significantly improved mean change from baseline in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at week 6 vs. placebo plus antidepressants. The double-blind trial enrolled 429 adult MDD patients who exhibited an inadequate response to 1-3 antidepressants. Data were presented at the American Psychiatric Association meeting in Honolulu.

Antidepressants included in the trial were Pristiq desvenlafaxine from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE); Lexapro escitalopram from Forest Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:FRX) and H. Lundbeck A/S (CSE:LUN); and the generics fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine. ...