Cipralex Approved for the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 12, 2007- Today, Cipralex® (escitalopram) has been approved in the EU for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) by the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) acting as reference member state for the European Union (EU). The approval is based on clinical studies involving more than 750 patients, which demonstrate that Cipralex® is an effective and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of OCD with the added benefit of significantly reducing the risk of relapse in OCD patients.
OCD is a chronic, highly debilitating disorder that is
characterised by recurrent, distressing thoughts and impulses
(obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviours (compulsions). "OCD is a
disabling anxiety disorder for which Cipralex® has demonstrated
to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment", said Senior Vice
President Anders Gersel Pedersen, Head of Development at Lundbeck.
"With the approval for the treatment of OCD, Cipralex® is now
approved for the treatment of all major anxiety indications and
depression."
About the clinical studies
Dose finding study In a double blind placebo controlled study, 458
OCD patients were randomised to either Cipralex® at one of the
two doses (10mg or 20mg), or 40mg paroxetine or placebo. The
duration of the study was 24 weeks with a primary efficacy
assessment after 12 weeks (acute treatment).
At week 12 - the primary efficacy endpoint - 20mg Cipralex®
showed a statistically significant greater improvement in the
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) compared to placebo
(p<0.005). 10mg Cipralex® compared to placebo was (p=0.052).
At week 24 dosages of Cipralex® 10mg (p<0.05) and 20mg
(p<0.005) showed a statistically significant greater improvement
in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) than in the
placebo group - as did paroxetine 40mg (p<0.05).
Relapse prevention study
The long-term efficacy was further supported by a relapse
prevention study, where 320 patients (intention-to-treat),
following treatment with Cipralex® for 16 weeks, were
randomised to either placebo or Cipralex® for a further 24
weeks of double-blind treatment.
The primary endpoint was time to relapse. The result of this
primary analysis showed a significant difference in favour of
Cipralex® (p<0.001). The number of relapses during treatment
with Cipralex® (23%) was significantly lower compared to the
patients in the placebo group (52%) (p<0.001). The risk of
relapsing was 2.7 times higher for the placebo group compared to
patients treated with Cipralex®.
About OCD
OCD is a chronic and disabling disorder with lifetime prevalence of
around 2-4%. It is estimated that OCD patients represent more than
10% of patients with anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of OCD can vary, and the obsessions can be thoughts that
are often very disturbing to the patient and can lead to compulsive
behaviour. Examples of compulsions are repetitive behaviours (such
as excessive hand washing/cleaning/hoarding/checking) and mental
acts (such as counting/repeating words).
The content of this release does not change the Lundbeck Group's
previously announced expectations as announced in connection with
reporting for the 3rd quarter 2006 financial result.
Lundbeck contacts
Steen Juul Jensen
Vice President
+45 36 43 30 06
Investors:
Mads Bjerregaard Pedersen
Investor Relations Officer
+45 36 43 41 04
Media:
Caroline Broge
Media Relations Manager
+45 36 43 26 38
Jacob Tolstrup
Investor Relations Manager, North America
+1 201 350 0187
Stock exchange release No 255 - 12 January 2007 About Lundbeck H. Lundbeck A/S is an international pharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development, production, marketing and sale of drugs for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. In 2005, the company's revenue was DKK 9.1 billion (approximately EUR 1.2 billion or USD 1.5 billion). The number of employees is approximately 5,000 globally. For further information, please visit www.lundbeck.com
Posted: January 2007
