2000
Mental Illnesses
N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R
Survey
P R E S E N T E D B Y A M E R I C A ’ S P H A R M A C E U T I C A L C O M P A N I E S
One hundred and three medicines are in the pharma-ceutical pipeline to help the more than 50 millionAmericans who suffer from some form of mental
illness—from Alzheimer’s disease to depression to schizo-
phrenia to substance dependence.
Over the past half-century, pharmaceutical research has
helped transform mental illness from a misunderstood cause
of shame and fear into a highly treatable condition. Medicines
for depression are helping many thousands of people with this
disease to be productive workers and responsible family
members. Breakthrough medicines for schizophrenia enable
most patients to be treated in the community. And medi-
cines for Alzheimer’s are helping elderly people stay out of
nursing homes.
Twenty-six of the potential medicines target depression,
which afflicts some 19 million Americans and costs the
economy an estimated $44 billion a year, including $12
billion in lost work days.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the focus of
24 of the medicines in development. More than 4 million
Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, which costs about
$100 billion each year. The incidence and expense of
Alzheimer’s are expected to triple in the next 20 years as
the population ages.
Sixteen medicines are in the pipeline for schizophrenia,
which affects more than 2 million Americans and costs more
than $30 billion a year.
Substance use disorders, which cost U.S. society nearly $400
billion a year, are the target of 21 new medicines, many of which
are being developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Thirteen of the medicines target anxiety disorders, the most
common mental illness in the United States. More than 19
million Americans are affected by these debilitating disorders,
which account for nearly one-third of the nation’s annual
$148 billion mental health bill.
Other medicines are being developed to treat attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic
stress disorder, premenstrual disorders, sexual disorders and
other problems with mental symptoms.
Many of the medicines in the pipeline attack mental ill-
nesses in new ways. For example:
• A potential medicine for Alzheimer’s has a dual mechanism
of action. Like medicines currently on the market, it inhibits
an enzyme that breaks down a critical chemical messenger
in the brain called acetylcholine. But the new medicine also
acts on key receptors in the brain that could lead to the
release of more acetylcholine.
• A medicine in development for both Alzheimer’s disease
and schizophrenia is designed to increase the strength of
signals at connections between brain cells. The weakening
or loss of these connections is thought to be responsible for
memory difficulties in Alzheimer’s patients and to contribute
to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.
• A medicine being tested for attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder blocks a receptor that releases histamine—a sub-
stance that depresses levels of alertness. By blocking the
release of histamine, researchers hope to increase levels
of alertness. The medicine may also be developed for
dementias and sleep disorders.
This year, pharmaceutical companies will spend an esti-
mated $6 billion to discover and develop medicines for
diseases of the central nervous system, including mental ill-
nesses. This ongoing commitment and the 103 medicines
for mental illnesses now in clinical trials or awaiting approval
by the Food and Drug Administration offer hope of reducing
the terrible human and economic toll of mental illnesses.
Alan F. Holmer
President and CEO
PhRMA
Survey Finds 103 Medicines in Clinical Testing for
Mental Illnesses
Other Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Schizophrenia
Premenstrual Disorders
Attention Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder
Eating Disorders
Depression
Dementias
Anxiety Disorders 13
10
24
26
5
3
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 2
16
21
2
Sexual Disorders 3
* Some medicines are in development for more than one disorder.
MEDICINES IN DEVELOPMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESSES*
New Medicines in Development for
Mental Illnesses
A N X I E T Y D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
BuSpar® Bristol-Myers Squibb anxiety application submitted
buspirone Princeton, NJ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hydrochloride anxiety (pediatric) Phase III
CGP 60829 Novartis Pharmaceuticals panic disorder, social phobia Phase II
East Hanover, NJ (see also depression)
DU 127090 Solvay Pharmaceuticals psychosis Phase II
Marietta, GA
flesinoxan Solvay Pharmaceuticals generalized anxiety disorder Phase III
Marietta, GA (see also depression)
fluvoxamine Solvay Pharmaceuticals obsessive-compulsive disorder, Phase III
controlled-release Marietta, GA social anxiety disorder
LU 28-179 Forest Laboratories generalized anxiety disorder Phase II
New York, NY
NGD 91-3 Neurogen anxiety Phase I
Branford, CT
Pfizer
New York, NY
pagodone Interneuron panic disorder Phase III
Pharmaceuticals
Lexington, MA
Warner-Lambert
Morris Plains, NJ
Paxil® SmithKline Beecham generalized anxiety disorder application submitted
paroxetine Philadelphia, PA (see also post-traumatic stress
hydrochloride disorder, premenstrual disorders)
Prozac® Eli Lilly panic disorder Phase III
fluoxetine Indianapolis, IN (see also post-traumatic stress
disorder, premenstrual disorders)
SB 243213 SmithKline Beecham anxiety Phase I
Philadelphia, PA (see also depression)
SR 142801 Sanofi-Synthelabo phobias Phase II
NK3 receptor New York, NY (see also depression, schizophrenia)
antagonist
substance P Merck anxiety Phase II
antagonist Whitehouse Station, NJ (see also depression, other)
A T T E N T I O N D E F I C I T / H Y P E R A C T I V I T Y D I S O R D E R
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
Aricept® Eisai attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase I
donepezil Teaneck, NJ disorder
hydrochloride (see also dementias)
Concerta™ Alza and Crescendo attention deficit/hyperactivity application submitted
OROS® Pharmaceuticals disorder
methylphenidate Mountain View, CA
2 N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
A T T E N T I O N D E F I C I T / H Y P E R A C T I V I T Y D I S O R D E R
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
d-threo- Celgene attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase III completed
methylphenidate Warren, NJ disorder
hydrochloride
GW320659 Glaxo Wellcome attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase II
noradrenaline/ Rsch. Triangle Park, NC disorder
dopamine (see also other)
reuptake inhibitor
Inversine® Layton Biosciences attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase II
mecamylamine Sunnyvale, CA disorder
hydrochloride (see also substance use disorders)
(Orphan Drug)
MethylPatch Noven Pharmaceuticals attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase III
methylphenidate Miami, FL disorder
transdermal system
Perceptin Gliatech attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase II
Cleveland, OH disorder
Provigil® Cephalon attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase I/II
modafinil West Chester, PA disorder
Ritalin® QD Tablet Novartis Pharmaceuticals attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase III
methylphenidate East Hanover, NJ disorder
hydrochloride
tomoxetine Eli Lilly attention deficit/hyperactivity Phase III
Indianapolis, IN disorder
D E M E N T I A S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
ALCAR Sigma-Tau Alzheimer’s disease in early Phase III
acetyl-l-carnitine Pharmaceuticals onset patients
HCl Gaithersburg, MD
Ampalex™ Cortex Pharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
Irvine, CA (see also schizophrenia)
AN-1792 Elan Pharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
S. San Francisco, CA
Aricept® Eisai Alzheimer’s disease Phase III
donepezil Teaneck, NJ (see also attention deficit/hyperactivity
hydrochloride disorder)
CI-1017 Warner-Lambert Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
Morris Plains, NJ
DP 543 Du Pont Pharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
Wilmington, DE
M2 antagonist Schering-Plough Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
Madison, NJ
Marinol Unimed Pharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
Buffalo Grove, IL and disturbed behavior
3N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
D E M E N T I A S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
memantine Neurobiological Alzheimer’s disease Phase III completed
Technologies
Richmond, CA
NDD 094 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
East Hanover, NJ
Neotrofin™ NeoTherapeutics Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
leteprinim Irvine, CA
potassium,
AIT-082
NGD 97-1 Neurogen Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
Branford, CT
Pfizer
New York, NY
peptide T Advanced Immune T AIDS dementia Phase IV
(intranasal) St. James, NY
Premarin® Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Alzheimer’s disease Phase III
conjugated Philadelphia, PA
estrogens
Reminyl® Janssen Pharmaceutica Alzheimer’s disease application submitted
galantamine Titusville, NJ
tablets
Risperdal® Janssen Pharmaceutica psychotic and related disorders application submitted
risperidone Titusville, NJ in dementia
(see also depression)
SB 271046 SmithKline Beecham cognition enhancement Phase I
5HT VI antagonist Philadelphia, PA
SL 25.1188 Sanofi-Synthelabo Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
New York, NY (see also substance use disorders)
SR 57667 Sanofi-Synthelabo Alzheimer’s disease Phase I
New York, NY
SR 57746 Sanofi-Synthelabo Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
neurotrophic New York, NY
SR 141716 Sanofi-Synthelabo Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
cannabinoid New York, NY (see also eating disorders,
receptor schizophrenia, substance use
(CB1) antagonist disorder)
talsaclidine Boehringer Ingelheim Alzheimer’s disease Phase II
Pharmaceuticals
Ridgefield, CT
Vioxx® Merck Alzheimer’s disease Phase V
rofecoxib Whitehouse Station, NJ
Zyprexa® Eli Lilly Alzheimer’s psychoses/dementia Phase III
olanzapine Indianapolis, IN (see also depression)
4 N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
D E P R E S S I O N
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
CGP 60829 Novartis Pharmaceuticals major depressive disorder Phase II
East Hanover, NJ (see also anxiety)
duloxetine Eli Lilly major depressive disorder Phase II
Indianapolis, IN
flesinoxan Solvay Pharmaceuticals depression Phase III
Marietta, GA (see also anxiety)
flibanserin Boehringer Ingelheim major depressive disorder Phase II
Pharmaceuticals
Ridgefield, CT
gepirone Organon depression Phase III
West Orange, NJ
Lamictal® Glaxo Wellcome bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) Phase III
lamotrigine Rsch. Triangle Park, NC
Luvox® Solvay Pharmaceuticals depression application submitted
fluvoxamine Marietta, GA
NS2389 Glaxo Wellcome depression Phase II
mixed monoamine Rsch. Triangle Park, NC
reuptake inhibitor
OPC-14523 Otsuka America major depressive disorder Phase II
Pharmaceutical
Rockville, MD
ORG 12962 Organon depression Phase II
West Orange, NJ
ORG 34167 Organon depression Phase I
West Orange, NJ
ORG 34517 Organon depression Phase II
West Orange, NJ
(R)-didesmethyl- Sepracor major depressive disorder Phase I
sibutramine Marlborough, MA
(R)-fluoxetine Eli Lilly major depressive disorder Phase II
Indianapolis, IN
Sepracor
Marlborough, MA
Risperdal® Janssen Pharmaceutica bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) Phase III
risperidone Titusville, NJ (see also dementias)
SB 243213 SmithKline Beecham depression Phase I
Philadelphia, PA (see also anxiety)
(S)-citalopram Forest Laboratories depression Phase III
New York, NY
Serzone-ER Bristol-Myers Squibb depression Phase III
nefazodone Princeton, NJ
(extended-release
capsule)
SL 92.0679 Sanofi-Synthelabo depression Phase III
befloxatone New York, NY (see also substance use disorders)
5N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
D E P R E S S I O N
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
SR 58611 Sanofi-Synthelabo major depressive disorder Phase II
B3 adreneugic New York, NY
receptor agonist
SR 142801 Sanofi-Synthelabo major depressive disorder Phase II
NK3 receptor New York, NY (see also anxiety, schizophrenia)
antagonist
substance P Merck depression Phase II
antagonist Whitehouse Station, NJ (see also anxiety, other)
topiramate R.W. Johnson bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) Phase II
Pharmaceutical
Research Institute
Raritan, NJ
Vestra Pharmacia depression application submitted
reboxetine Peapack, NJ
YKP-10-A SkyePharma depression Phase II
San Diego, CA
Zyprexa® Eli Lilly bipolar depression and mood Phase III
olanzapine Indianapolis, IN stabilization
(see also dementias)
E A T I N G D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
Axokine Emisphere Technologies obesity Phase II
Tarrytown, NY
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Tarrytown, NY
ecopipam Schering-Plough obesity Phase II
Madison, NJ
leptin Amgen obesity Phase II
Thousand Oaks, CA
RF-1051 SuperGen obesity Phase II
San Ramon, CA
SR 141716 Sanofi-Synthelabo obesity Phase II
cannabinoid New York, NY (see also dementias, schizophrenia,
receptor substance use disorders)
(CB1) antagonist
P O S T - T R A U M A T I C S T R E S S D I S O R D E R
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
Paxil® SmithKline Beecham post-traumatic stress disorder Phase III
paroxetine Philadelphia, PA (see also anxiety, premenstrual
hydrochloride disorders)
Prozac® Eli Lilly post-traumatic stress disorder Phase III
fluoxetine Indianapolis, IN (see also anxiety, premenstrual
disorders)
6 N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
P R E M E N S T R U A L D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
ORG 39479/PH80 Organon premenstrual syndrome Phase I
West Orange, NJ
Pherin Pharmaceuticals
Menlo Park, CA
Paxil® SmithKline Beecham premenstrual dysphoric disorder Phase III
paroxetine Philadelphia, PA (see also anxiety, post-traumatic
hydrochloride stress disorder)
Prozac® Eli Lilly premenstrual dysphoric disorder Phase III
fluoxetine Indianapolis, IN (see also anxiety, post-traumatic
stress disorder)
S C H I Z O P H R E N I A
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
Ampalex™ Cortex Pharmaceuticals schizophrenia Phase II
Irvine, CA (see also dementias)
aripiprazole Bristol-Myers Squibb schizophrenia Phase III
(OPC-14597) Princeton, NJ
Otsuka America
Pharmaceutical
Rockville, MD
ORG 5222 Organon schizophrenia Phase II
West Orange, NJ
ORG 23430 Organon schizophrenia Phase II
West Orange, NJ
ORG 24448/Cx619 Cortex Pharmaceuticals schizophrenia Phase I
Irvine, CA
Organon
West Orange, NJ
PNU-101387 Pharmacia schizophrenia Phase II
Peapack, NJ
Risperdal® IM Depot Janssen Pharmaceutica schizophrenia Phase III
risperidone Titusville, NJ
SL 91.1076 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase I
s-amisulpride New York, NY
SL 91.1077 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase III
amisulpride New York, NY
SR 31742 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase II
central signalling New York, NY
SR 46349 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase II
5HT2 antagonist New York, NY
SR 48692 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase II
neurotensin New York, NY
antagonist
SR 141716 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase II
cannabinoid New York, NY (see also dementias, eating disorders,
receptor substance use disorders)
(CBI) antagonist
7N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
S C H I Z O P H R E N I A
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
SR 142801 Sanofi-Synthelabo schizophrenia Phase II
NK3 receptor New York, NY (see also anxiety, depression)
antagonist
Zeldox® Pfizer schizophrenia application submitted
New York, NY
Zomaril™ Novartis Pharmaceuticals schizophrenia Phase III
iloperidone East Hanover, NJ
Titan Pharmaceuticals
S. San Francisco, CA
S E X U A L D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
apomorphine TAP Pharmaceuticals male erectile dysfunction application submitted
Deerfield, IL
apomorphine Pentech Pharmaceuticals female sexual dysfunction Phase II
SL tablet Buffalo Grove, IL
paroxetine Pentech Pharmaceuticals premature ejaculation Phase III
hydrochloride Buffalo Grove, IL
capsule
S U B S T A N C E U S E D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
cocaine vaccine Cantab Pharmaceuticals cocaine dependence Phase I
(therapeutic) Cambridge, UK
cyclazocine National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase I
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
Depotrex™ Biotek opiate/alcohol dependence Phase II
depot naltrexone Woburn, MA
microcapsules
desipramine National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase II
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
dextromethorphan ALGOS Pharmaceutical opiate dependence Phase I
Neptune, NJ
National Institute on
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
disulfiram National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase II
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
GBR 12909 National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase I
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
8 N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
S U B S T A N C E U S E D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
Inversine® Layton Biosciences smoking cessation Phase III
mecamylamine Sunnyvale, CA (see also attention deficit/hyperactivity
hydrochloride disorder)
lofexedine Forum Products opiate dependence Phase III
Southampton, NY
National Institute on
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
mecamylamine National Institute on opiate dependence Phase II
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
Naltrel Drug Abuse Sciences alcohol/drug dependence Phase III
Hillsborough, CA
nicotine and Elan Transdermal smoking cessation Phase III
mecamylamine Technologies
transdermal patch Miramar, FL
nicotine Watson Laboratories smoking cessation Phase I
oral lozenge Corona, CA
NS 2359 National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase I
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
NeuroSearch A/S
Copenhagen, Denmark
OTS™ Nicotine Anesta smoking cessation Phase II/III
Salt Lake City, UT
Selegiline STS National Institute on cocaine dependence Phase III
Drug Abuse
Bethesda, MD
Somerset Pharmaceuticals
Tampa, FL
SL 25.1188 Sanofi-Synthelabo smoking cessation Phase I
New York, NY (see also dementias)
SL 92.0679 Sanofi-Synthelabo smoking cessation Phase II
befloxatone New York, NY (see also depression)
SR 141716 Sanofi-Synthelabo smoking cessation Phase II
cannabinoid New York, NY (see also dementias, eating
receptor disorders, schizophrenia)
(CB1) antagonist
Suboxone® Reckitt & Colman opiate dependence application submitted
buprenorphine Pharmaceuticals
HCl and Richmond, VA
naloxone HCl
Subutex® Reckitt & Colman opiate dependence application submitted
buprenorphine Pharmaceuticals
HCl Richmond, VA
9N E W M E D I C I N E S I N D E V E L O P M E N T F O R Mental Illnesses 2000
O T H E R D I S O R D E R S
Product Name Company Indication Development Status
GW320659 Glaxo Wellcome mood disorders Phase II
noradrenaline/ Rsch. Triangle Park, NC (see also attention deficit/hyperactivity
dopamine disorder)
reuptake inhibitor
substance P Merck psychiatric disorders Phase II
antagonist Whitehouse Station, NJ (see also anxiety, depression)
The content of this survey has been obtained through government and industry sources based on the latest information.
Survey current as of May 19, 2000. The information may not be comprehensive. For more specific information about
a particular product, contact the individual company directly. The entire series of “New Medicines in Development”
is available on PhRMA’s web site.
PhRMA Internet address: http://www.phrma.org
Provided as a Public Service by PhRMA. Founded in 1958 as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.
Copyright © 2000 by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Permission to reprint is awarded
if proper credit is given.
S E L E C T E D F A C T S A B O U T M E N T A L I L L N E S S E S A