Depressing drug result for Astra
An anti-depressant product made by Anglo-Swedish drugs titan AstraZeneca and US partner Targacept has failed to meet its initial target.
An anti-depressant product made by Anglo-Swedish drugs titan AstraZeneca and US partner Targacept has failed to meet its initial target.
The product, known as as TC-5214, is intended to be used as an adjunct therapy to an anti-depressant in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), who do not respond adequately to initial antidepressant treatment.
The firm said that the study did not meet its primary target of change on the scale used to measure it after eight weeks of treatment with TC-5214 as compared to placebo.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
In a statement the firm said: "TC-5214 was overall well tolerated in the study and showed an adverse event profile generally consistent with the earlier Phase IIb study. Analyses of the full data set from the study remain ongoing.
"TC-5214 has the potential to be a first-in-class nicotinic channel modulator to serve as an adjunct treatment for MDD in patients with an inadequate response to initial antidepressant therapies."
The results most recently announced are from the Renaissance 3 study, a flexible dose trial conducted in Europe.
NR
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
8 of the best houses for sale with annexes
The best houses with annexes – from a period property in the Lake District to a 13th-century house with a two-bedroom annexe in Saltwood, Kent
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Zelenskyy moves to appease Donald Trump – what happens now?
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is conceding ground to secure the least-worst deal possible, says Emily Hohler
By Emily Hohler Published