Brintellix is launched as the first new antidepressant drug in five years in Denmark

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) has now started the launch of its novel antidepressant Brintellix (vortioxetine) in Denmark. This marks the first European launch and thereby the next step in the global introduction of Brintellix, which was commercially launched in the US in January 2014. Following the Danish launch, Brintellix, which is approved for treatment of major depressive episodes (MDE, hereafter referred to as “depression”) in adults, will be introduced in several other European and International Markets during 2014 and 2015.

This is the first time in five years that a new antidepressant drug becomes available in Denmark where 150,000 people suffer from depression¹. Brintellix will be available and reimbursed in Denmark as second line treatment for depression, in line with the reimbursement dossier submitted and approved by Danish health authorities.

Brintellix is a novel multimodal antidepressant, which has demonstrated significant efficacy in adult patients with depression as measured by traditional scales like MADRS or HAMD. It has also demonstrated improvement of cognitive performance in adult patients with depression, as measured with neuropsychological tests, as e.g. DSST or RAVLT².  Cognitive symptoms are part of the diagnostic criteria for depression, and include the ability to concentrate, make decisions and the ability to remember³. Cognitive symptoms are both part of the acute depressive episode as well as often being a residual symptom of depression⁴. This means that patients with depression may have difficulties performing their duties at work. As a lot of people with depression are working, this loss of productivity is very costly for the society⁵.

“When someone suffers from depression, the daily life of that person is severely affected, at home and in the workplace. Depression is a complex disease that involves mood, physical and cognitive symptoms. We are pleased to be able to offer a new treatment option to patients with depression,” says Ole Chrintz, Group Senior Vice President of International Markets and Europe at Lundbeck.

References

1. Danish Health and Medicines Authority,2012. 
2. EPAR and McIntyre R.S., Lophaven S and Olsen C. K. (2014) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vortioxetine on cognitive function in depressed adults. Intl J Neuropsychopharmacol 17 (10): 1557 – 1567.
3. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).
4. McClintock SM et al. (2011) Residual symptoms in depressed outpatients who respond by 50% but do not remit to antidepressant medication. J Clin Psychophamacol. 31(2):180—186.
5. McIntyre R.S. et al. (2013) Cognitive deficits and functional outcomes in Major Depressive Disoprder: Determinants, substrates, and treatment interventions. Depress. Anxiety, 30: 515—527.