PHARMACIA'S NEW DRUG COULD PROVIDE DIFFERENT AVENUE TO TREAT DEPRESSION

WASHINGTON A new type of antidepressant made by Pharmacia & -UpJohn Inc. is
as effective as Prozac in reducing depression and is more effective at
improving the social functioning of patients, according to research
presented at a psychiatric conference here yesterday.

Reboxetine, which is undergoing U.S.regulatory review, could give doctors a
different avenue to treat depression. The experimental drug raises levels
of norepinephrine, a brain chemical that revs up the brain and is
associated with a patient's, drive and vitality. Lower-than-normal levels
of norepinephrine are associated with a lack of energy, motivation, and
interest in life, all-important symptoms of depression says Christopher
Gallen, Pharmacia- Upjohn vice president of clinical research. "By adding
vitality and color in an otherwise gray life, we can make a real difference
for a lot of people," Dr. Gallen says. The drug is approved in many
European countries; Pharmacia & Upjohn officials said they expect a
regulatory decision in the U.S. by the third quarter. Prozac and similar
drugs affect a different brain chemical, serotonin. The drugs have been
widely used in part because they are safer than older generation drugs. But
many people have imbalances in other brain chemicals such as
norepinephrine. While crowded, the antidepressant market is huge. Pharmacia
& Upjohn said Reboxetine, if approved, will be the first antidepressant in
the U.S. that specifically boosts norepinephrine levels by blocking its
"re-uptake" by cells. The company, based in Bridgewater, N.J., hopes
Reboxetine will attract doctors' attention because of this feature, and
because it has the same level of side effects as competitors such as Eli
Lilly & Co.'s Prozac.

Although Reboxetine is intended to increase energy levels in patients,
Dr.Gallen says, it is actually quite different from conventional stimulant
drugs in that "there's no evidence" that it is addictive, and it takes much
longer- about four weeks -to start working.

In studies conducted in Europe and Brazil, Reboxetine was compared with a
placebo and, in some cases, with Prozac.

In one analysis, Reboxetine had higher efficacy than a placebo in three of
four short-term studies. And, in another study of patients who were
undergoing long-term treatment, 78% were in remission after 12 months,
compared with 45% in the placebo group

In another study, Reboxetine was as effective as Prozac in treating
depression. Yet another study showed Reboxetine was more effecive than
Prozac at improving patients' social functioning, which included measures
of job interest in hobbies, gregariousness and family relationship quality.
In New York Stock Exchange composite trading, Pharmacia & Upjohn shares
rose $1.8125 to $54.5625.