Lundbeck's Brintellix available in US pharmacies for depression

Danish CNS drug specialist Lundbeck (LUN: CO) and Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) jointly announced today that Brintellix (vortioxetine) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults is available in pharmacies across the USA.

The drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on September 30. At the time of approval health care analysts Decision Resources said Brintellix is expected be one of the most successful new products and forecasts it will hit blockbuster status. Deutsche Bank analyst Tim Race added Brintellix could generate sales in excess of $1.5 billion and possibly up to $3 billion a year.

Staffan Schüberg, president of Lundbeck US, said: “Our passion for helping people living with MDD has been the inspiration for advancing Brintellix from the laboratory through clinical studies, and now into the hands of those who need it. This same passion fuels our ongoing commitment to supporting people with this often chronic and complex disease.”