Investigational antidepressant garners positive results in late-stage clinical trial

NEW YORK — Patients taking an investigative antidepressant undergoing late-stage clinical development showed “significant” improvement, according to study results released Monday.

Forest Labs and Pierre Fabre Medicament announced results of a phase-3 trial of levomilnacipran in adults with major depressive disorder. Results showed a statistically significant improvement in patients treated with the drug, compared with those taking placebo.

“Depressed patients often struggle to find the right antidepressant, and the need for new medications is high,” Forest Research Institute SVP research and development Marco Taglietti said. “These positive phase-3 results are very encouraging and support the continued research of levomilnacipran in adult patients with major depressive disorder.”