Forest announces phase III Lexapro data

Forest Laboratories has announced the publication of phase III data for Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

The company reports that the compound was well tolerated and significantly improved the symptoms of depression in adolescents with major depressive disorder when compared to placebo.

Forest claims that these results show the potential of the drug as a useful treatment option for adolescent patients with depression.

As a result of these study results, the company reports that it plans to file the drug with the relevant regulatory authorities as a treatment for adolescent depression this year.

The firm notes research that estimates that up to eight per cent of adolescents are affected by depression, while noting that current treatment options for this patient group are limited.

Graham Emslie, professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas, said: “Treating depression in adolescents can be particularly challenging because few antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials in this population.”

He added that this study showed administration of the drug to result in significant improvement in symptoms while being well tolerated in study participants.

In March 2006, the US Patent and Trademark Office extended the patent on Lexapro owned by Forest Laboratories by over five years.