Duloxetine Eli Lilly.

Duloxetine is a serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) uptake inhibitor in pre-registration for depression. In vivo studies demonstrate that duloxetine inhibits 5-HT and NE transporters and this may induce an antidepressant effect [159168]. In humans, duloxetine has a low affinity for most 5-HT subtypes and for muscarinic, histamine H1, alpha1-adrenergic, alpha2-adrenergic and dopamine D2 receptors [444103]. Thus, it is not surprising that the meta-analysis of four recent clinical studies suggests duloxetine is a potent and well-tolerated antidepressant [429723]. By December 2001, Lilly had filed an NDA for depression. The launch of duloxetine is planned for the second half of 2002 [434250], [436220]. In April 2002, filing for stress urinary incontinence was anticipated for later in 2002 [456894]. Analysts at Banc of America predicted in April 2002, that the drug will be launched in the first quarter of 2003. The company projects US $400 million in revenue in 2003 and anticipates duloxetine to reach peak sales of over US $1 billion [450920]. Analysts at Morgan Stanley, projected US $25 million in sales in the fourth quarter 2002, rising to US $900 million in 2006 [450937]. At the same time, Credit Suisse First Boston anticipated launch for late 2002, with US $220 million in duloxetine revenues in 2003 and US $457 million in 2004 [450936].