Launch of Lexapro commenced in Japan
H Lundbeck A/S announced that its partners Mochida Pharmaceutical Co Ltd and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) have launched Lexapro 10mg (escitalopram) in Japan, for which Mochida obtained the marketing approval following the NHI (National Health Insurance) drug price listing.
"It is a milestone in our global expansion strategy that Lexapro is now available in Japan following a fast regulatory process," says Lundbeck Senior Vice President Ole Chrintz, International Markets. He continues: "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 (DKK ~0.2 billion) for the first year following the launch and JPY 33.8 billion (DKK ~2.3 billion) in its peak year 6 years later.
The Japanese antidepressant market
In 2010, the Japanese anti-depressant market had a value of JPY 135 billion (DKK ~9 billion), up 10.7% from 2009 according to IMS Japan. The three most sold antidepressants in Japan were by the end of 2010 paroxetine with a value market share of 37%, sertraline with a share of 20 percent and fluvoxamine with a share of 15 percent.
The number of people diagnosed with depression in Japan is increasing every year and is currently estimated to exceed one million. Escitalopram has been very well received by patients and doctors worldwide for the treatment of depression and will offer a new treatment option for patients with depression in Japan.
Mochida and Lundbeck alliance
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.
