Data from Study of Elderly Depressed Patients are Reported for Investigational Compound Lu AA21004 on Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Global Research & Development Center Inc., U.S., presented data which demonstrated significant improvements in overall symptoms of depression in elderly patients taking Lu AA21004, an investigational compound for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). This study was presented at the 2012 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

According to study results, elderly patients taking Lu AA21004 5mg/day showed a significantly greater (p=0.0011) improvement on the primary efficacy endpoint HAM-D24 total score versus placebo at Week 8 (mean difference to placebo of 3.3 points on the HAM-D24). Rates of HAM-D24 response (defined as a 50% or greater drop in HAM-D24 total score from baseline) were 53.2% versus 35.2% and rates of HAM-D17 remission (defined as a HAM-D17 total score less than or equal to 7) were 29.2% versus 19.3% at endpoint which were higher for Lu AA21004 than for placebo.

The study also included exploratory secondary endpoints evaluating select aspects of cognitive function. Patients on Lu AA21004 exhibited improvements from baseline compared to placebo on both, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a measure of processing speed, visuo-spatial attention, executive function and working memory, and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (RAVLT), a measure of verbal learning, including recall and recognition. 

"Depression is a multi-factorial disease where patients present with a variety of symptoms," said Anders Gersel Pedersen, Executive Vice President and Head of Research & Development at Lundbeck. "Having treatments to address the heterogeneity of the disease – given that the experience of depression varies so greatly from one patient to the next – is critically important to this patient population.  We are pleased that we are helping to bring additional options to people who suffer from the challenging and diverse symptoms of depression."

"These study results contribute to the growing understanding of the compound," said Stephen Brannan, M.D., Development Therapeutic Area Head, CNS, at Takeda. "Lundbeck and Takeda are committed to further investigating Lu AA21004 to better understand its mechanism of action in depression."

The study was a multi-national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active-reference, fixed-dose study in elderly patients (n=452) with recurrent MDD, assessing the efficacy and tolerability of Lu AA21004 5 mg/day.  The primary endpoint was mean change from baseline in the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D24) total score, a measure of the severity of MDD.  These patients, aged 65 years or older, with a current major depressive episode (MDE) of at least 4-week duration, at least one previous MDE before the age of 60 years, a MADRS total score of 26 or more and a Mini Mental State Examination score of <24, were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to Lu AA21004 5 mg/day, duloxetine 60mg/day (active reference), or placebo for 8 weeks.

Withdrawal rates due to adverse events were 5.8% (Lu AA21004) and 2.8% (placebo). Nausea was reported with a significantly higher incidence for Lu AA21004 (21.8%) than for placebo (8.3%).

About Lu AA21004

Lu AA21004 is under investigation as a multimodal anti-depressant that is thought to work through a combination of two complementary mechanisms of actions: receptor activity modulation and reuptake inhibition.

In vitro studies indicate that LuAA21004 is a 5-HT3 and 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, 5-HT1B receptor partial agonist, 5-HT1A receptor agonist and inhibitor of the SERT. In vivo non-clinical studies have demonstrated that LuAA21004 modulates neuronal firing and neurotransmitter release in multiple systems, resulting in enhanced levels of serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine and histamine in specific areas of the brain.

About depression

Depression is a very common, debilitating illness affecting around 121 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  Depression was the leading cause of disability and the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease in 2000.  According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 years or older.

The symptoms of depression can be chronic or recurrent, and impact patients both mentally and physically. Symptoms can include feelings of sadness, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, decreased energy, impaired sleep, impaired concentration or indecisiveness, hopelessness, guilt, persistent physical symptoms such as pain and digestive disorders, and in more severe cases, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.

Takeda and Lundbeck alliance

In September 2007, Lundbeck and Takeda formed a strategic alliance for the exclusive co-development and co-commercialization in the United States and Japan of several compounds in Lundbeck's pipeline for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. The partnership initially focuses on co-development and co-commercialization of the two most advanced compounds in Lundbeck's pipeline for mood and anxiety disorders, Lu AA21004 and Lu AA24530. If approved, the companies will co-promote the products in the United States and Japan.

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 brain 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, psychotic disorders, epilepsy and Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Lundbeck's U.S. business is based in Deerfield, Illinois. To learn more about Lundbeck in the U.S., visit www.lundbeckus.com.

Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen, Denmark. Today Lundbeck employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies working with brain disorders. In 2011, the company's revenue was DKK 16.0 billion (approximately EUR 2.2 billion or USD 3.0 billion). For more information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.

About Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc.

Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. are subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan.  The respective companies currently market oral diabetes, insomnia, rheumatology, gastroenterology and cardiovascular disease treatments and seek to bring innovative products to patients through a pipeline that includes compounds in development for diabetes, gastroenterology, neurology and other conditions.  To learn more about these Takeda companies, visit www.tpna.com.

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SOURCE H. Lundbeck A/S; Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc., U.S.