Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has submitted a new drug application (NDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration for desvenlafaxine extended release (DVS-233) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Desvenlafaxine extended release represents Wyeth's ongoing commitment to research and development of new antidepressant therapies. The new compound was discovered and developed by Wyeth Research.

The clinical development programme for major depressive disorder supporting the NDA investigated desvenlafaxine extended release, a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), in patients with a broad range of symptoms associated with depression, including both emotional and somatic symptoms, states a Wyeth release.

"We know from clinical studies as well as clinical practice that there remain significant unmet needs in treating depressed patients. If approved, desvenlafaxine extended release will offer physicians a new clinically proven option for treating depression," said Gary L. Stiles, executive vice president, chief medical officer, Wyeth.

Depression affects approximately 121 million people worldwide and is the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death. The World Health Organization projects that by the year 2020, depressive disorders will become the second-leading cause of disability worldwide.