Positive results with AstraZeneca Seroquel

Data from studies presented for the first time at the 16th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, held in Prague, the Czech Republic, suggest that AstraZeneca's blockbuster atypical antipsychotic Seroquel (quetiapine) has efficacy and tolerability benefits over other available treatments. The drug achieved turnover of $714 million in the first half of 2003, up 21% on the like, year-earlier period.

The successful, long-term control of schizophrenia requires treatments that are effective and well-accepted by patients, the company notes, adding that the occurrence of side effects is a key reason for patients to become non-compliant with their treatment regimen, leaving them vulnerable to relapse and rehospitalization.

The studies compared Seroquel to other atypical antipsychotics. The first, involving 50 patients randomized to Seroquel 400mg-800mg/day, olanzapine 10mg-20mg/ day or risperidone 4mg-8mg/day, suggests that the AstraZeneca product is at least as effective in treating the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and offers tolerability benefits. The results, based on interim data after eight weeks' therapy, found that Seroquel patients experienced: