Lundbeck partner Mochida files for escitalopram approval in Japan

Danish drugmaker Lundbeck A/S (LUND: DC) says that its partner Mochida Pharmaceutical (4534: JP) has filed a New Drug Application (escitalopram for the treatment of depression with the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). If approved, it is expected that escitalopram in Japan would be a meaningful contribution to Lundbeck's financial performance already in the period 2012-2014.

The drug is marketed by Lundbeck as Cipralex and generated second-quarter 2010 revenues of 1.51 billion kroner ($258 million) for the company. It is sold as Lexapro in the USA by Forest Laboratories.

The commercialization of escitalopram will be supported by two highly CNS-experienced Japanese companies which will co-market the product; Mochida and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma under a deal signed early this year by the Japanese drugmakers. Yoshitomiyakuhin, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe, will participate in the promotion. This means that the launch will be supported by more than 1,500 sales reps, which is fully competitive in the Japanese market, according to the Danish firm.