Depression is not merely a mental disorder; it is a disorder that comprises both physical and emotional symptoms. It is an illness that can at any time affect a sufferer's mood and emotions and manifest itself in physical symptoms. Many physicians regard depression as a serious and treatable illness. Without treatment the symptoms can last weeks, months, and even years, however proper treatment, both pharmacological and psychological can help most patients.WHO anticipates that depressive disorders will become the leading cause of disability by 2020. The number of patients suffering from Depression in the major 7 countries is predicted to reach the level of 92,600,000 individuals by year 2015. The global anti-depressant market based on 2004 sales was US$17.9 billion following a 3.4% growth over 2003 sales. Forecasts for the market, however, predict a decrease down to US$15.8 billion by 2010. This is mainly due to patent expirations of main brands and lack of innovation. Ongoing research and development is expected to fuel the market with new molecular entities after 2010 and induce a significant increase to US$18.7 billion by 2015.


ANAVEX 11-141
ANAVEX 11-141 is a new compound in advanced preclinical phase for the treatment of depression and as wakefulness promoting agent. It presents mixed pharmacological activity involving serotoninergic, sigma-1 and sodium channel components suggesting a prototype mechanism of action and representing a new class of antidepressants. ANAVEX 11-141 exhibited an outstanding profile in the Forced Swim Test (FST) (80 – 100% of anti-immobility at 100 mg/kg, per os) suggesting antidepressant properties that have not been observed so far with any of the currently available antidepressants. In addition ANAVEX 11-141 demonstrated low anticonvulsive action (ED50 = 50 – 100 mg/kg per os). Further preclinical trials are currently being conducted to further assess and analyze the antidepressant properties of ANAVEX 11-141 and related derivatives and develop drugs that will hopefully lead to a new treatment approach against mood disturbances, fatigue symptoms, excessive daytime sleepiness and as alertness promoting agents.