Clinical Data anti-depressant meets trial goals

Last Updated: 2007-09-06 12:00:17 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Clinical Data Inc said on Tuesday its experimental depression treatment met both its main and secondary goals in a late-stage trial.

The study separately identified potential genetic biomarkers -- genetic information -- for predicting response to the drug, called vilazodone, the company said.

The company, which did not provide specific data from the phase III trial involving 410 adults with depression, said it would provide investors more information on September 11 at a healthcare conference.

Vilazodone, like leading current treatments such as Eli Lilly and Co's Prozac, works by maximizing the presence in the brain of the messenger chemical serotonin. But it also activates receptors to a subtype of the serotonin protein called 5HT1A.

Clinical Data acquired the rights to vilazodone from Merck KGaA of Germany in September 2004 after it had failed several clinical trials.

The company is planning to begin a second phase III trial next year and may use genetic markers to select patients for the study, a company spokeswoman said.

Shares of Clinical Data closed up 5 cents to $26.05 on Tuesday, after a high of $27.35 earlier in the day.