Study Demonstrates Lexapro(R) Significantly Improves Depression Symptoms in A...( Phase III Data Presented at American ...),Health

Phase III Data Presented at American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting

WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) announced today that study results show Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) significantly improved symptoms of depression as compared to placebo treatment and was well tolerated in adolescents, aged 12-17, with major depressive disorder (MDD), according to phase III data presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. These results suggest that Lexapro has potential as a useful treatment option for adolescents with depression. Top-line results of this study were initially released in November 2007.

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"Treating depression in adolescents can be particularly challenging because few antidepressants have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials in this population," said Graham Emslie, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "In this study, Lexapro significantly improved depressive symptoms in adolescents with MDD, and was also well tolerated by study participants."

Researchers estimate that up to eight percent of adolescents are affected by depression. Depression is a chronic disease that requires medical treatment. However, FDA-approved treatment options for this population are limited. Lexapro is not currently approved by the FDA for use in pediatric or adolescent patients.

Based on the results of this study, Forest plans to file for an adolescent depression indication for Lexapro this year.

Study Results

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