AstraZeneca receives EC approval for MDD treatment

AstraZeneca has been granted European Commission (EC) approval for its Seroquel XR extended release tablets as a treatment for sufferers of major depressive disorder (MDD).

The drug was given a positive opinion as an add-on treatment of major depressive episodes among MDD patients who have failed to respond adequately to antidepressant monotherapy.

Seroquel XR is approved in numerous countries as a therapy for schizophrenia, bipolar mania and bipolar depression and has already received backing in other nations for MDD treatment, including in the US.

This latest ruling follows the decision of Europe's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use to grant a positive recommendation for this specification in April 2010.

AstraZeneca states that it will now look to move forward with securing local approvals for the drug in EC member states.

Last month, AstraZeneca highlighted the impact of mental illness on the UK healthcare system by publishing a study showing the high cost of NHS hospital treatment for bipolar disorder sufferers.