Almirall and Lundbeck announce co promotion for escitalopram agreement at Italy.

-this Agreement reinforces Almirall in Italy product portfolio and generate income from this same year

– it is estimated that more than 38% of the population of Europe suffers some type of mental disorder. Depression is common and affects around 121 million people in the world

Barcelona and Milan, 2011-October Almirall, SpA and Lundbeck Italy, SpA announced yesterday a co-promotion agreement for the escitalopram in Italy under the brand name Cipralex ®.

The escitalopram is an antidepressant of the family of selective inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin (SSRIS), indicated in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorder.

The financial details of the agreement have not been revealed. “We are very satisfied with this new collaboration with Lundbeck, which will allow us to strengthen our portfolio in Italy with a leading product and expansion, as well as take advantage of our skills and knowledge on diseases of the Central Nerviosos system ”, commented Javier García, Director General of Almirall Italy.” This agreement strengthens the position of Almirall as trading partner in Italy and generate income from this same year ”, added.

Ralph Fassey, Director-General of the Italian subsidiary of Lundbeck, adds that collaboration with a partner of the level of Almirall presents us with a very important step for co – promote our escitalopram, which is already the most prescribed antidepressant in the country. The experience of collaboration between the two companies in Spain induced us to extend cooperation to another important Mediterranean country, such as Italy. “

The escitalopram

the escitalopram is one of the molecules more effective and tolerated for the treatment of depression and anxiety.” It acts to increase the level of a specific neurotransmitter serotonin, whose reduction is involved in the onset of symptoms of these disorders. The escitalopram is different from other antidepressants in the same class (SSRIS) due to its mechanism of action, responsible for its relevant clinical efficacy.

Depression and anxiety disorder

Depression is a common mental disorder that is attending with depressed mood, lack of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self esteem, disorders of sleep or appetite, low energy and lack of concentration. All these problems may become chronic or recurring, leading to major alterations in the capacity of a person to take charge of their daily responsibilities. At worst, depression can lead to suicide, each year involving the loss of some 850 000 vidasi.

On the other hand, the depression is the leading cause of disability according to the years lived with disability (AVD) and the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease (DALYS) in 2000. The depression will become the year 2020 in the second leading cause of disability in the world, at present, depression and the second cause of DALYS in the age group is 15-44 years for both sexes combined.(4)

Depression affects 121 million people in the mundoii. It occurs in people of both sexes, all ages and environments.

Currently, an estimated 38.2% of the European population suffers from a disorder mentaliii. By age and co-morbidity, this is 164,8 millions of affected people. If we compare these data with 2005 (27.4%) the highest estimate is due entirely to the inclusion of 14 new disorders covering the childhood/adolescence, as well as people older.

This increased estimate of affected persons (2011: 165 MM vs 2005: 82 MM) is due to the inclusion of children and the elderly, new disorders and new States members of the EU. The most common disorders among Europeans are anxiety (14%), insomnia (7%), depression (6.9%), somatoform disorders (not explained by a real illness, 6.3%), alcohol and drug dependence (less than 4%), lack of attention and hyperactivity (5% for young people), eating disorders (0.9%) and dementia (1% in the population between 60 and 65).

Almirall

Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. With headquarters in Barcelona (Spain), Almirall researches, develops, produces and sells drugs own r & d and licensing with the aim of improving the health and well-being of people.

The therapeutic areas in which concentrates its resources in research are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other skin sintomatologías.

Almirall drugs are currently present in over 70 countries. Account with a direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 subsidiaries.

Lundbeck

Lundbeck is an international pharmaceutical company founded by Hans Lundbeck in 1915, specializing in diseases of central nervous system, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.

It is an integrated company with key competencies in research, development, production, marketing and sales, international presence in over 100 markets around the world that has approximately 5,900 employees around the world.

Its marketed drugs include treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, depression and anxiety, epilepsy, disease of Huntington, insomnia, disease of Parkinson, schizophrenia disorder bipolar.

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referencia:

(1) (2) WHO.

(3) ECNP/EBC Report 2011 The size and burden of mental disorders and other disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.
H.U. Wittchen, 1, d. Jacobi, 1, 2, j. Rehm, b, a. Gustavsson, M. Svenssond, B. Jönsson, j. Olesen, C. Allgulanderg, j. Alonso, C. Faravelli, l. Fratiglioni, p. Jennum, r. Lieb, a. Maercker, j. van Os, M. Preisig, l. Salvador-Carulla, r. Simon, H-C. Steinhausen,

(4) AVD / DALYS definitions:
AVD = years lived with disability
DALYS = disability
(La_suma_de_años_de_potencial_pérdida_de_vida_debido_a_una_prematura_moralidad_y_a_los_años_de_vida_productive_
perdidos_debido_a_la_discapacidad)-adjusted lived years