New treatment for depression approved in Europe

Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim's Cymbalta/Xeristar has been granted marketing authorisation in Europe for the treatment of major depressive episodes.

Cymbalta/Xeristar, a balanced dual-reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), has been studied in more than 6,000 adults with major depression worldwide. Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in four positive acute placebo-controlled clinical trials and a relapse prevention study.

Researchers believe the drug is effective in treating the emotional and somatic symptoms of depression due to its dual action on two key neurotransmitters, serotonin and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters are believed to help regulate emotions and sensitivity to pain.

'The approval of Cymbalta/Xeristar in the EU is a major step forward in giving healthcare professionals and patients in all major European countries a long-awaited efficient and well-tolerated new option for treating the full spectrum of symptoms of depression,' said Dr Andreas Barner, member of the board of managing directors and head of research, development and medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim.

In Europe alone an estimated 60 million people suffer from depression, with only 25-35 percent of patients treated for depression in clinical studies experiencing remission or relief from all of their disease symptoms.