Alderley Park, UK May 24, 2005 New data presented today at the American Psychiatry Association (APA) meeting in Atlanta, USA, demonstrate that the atypical antipsychotic SEROQUEL (Quetiapine) is effective in reducing suicidal thinking in patients suffering from bipolar depression, and also improves quality of life and adherence to treatment in patients with bipolar disorder.

"Unfortunately bipolar depression is associated with high suicide rates, with 25% to 50% of people with the illness attempting suicide " commented Professor Joseph Calabrese, Co-Director of the Bipolar Research Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "These data suggest a brighter future for patients with bipolar disorder as they illustrate that those treated with SEROQUEL benefit from a strong efficacy profile, combined with improved compliance and quality of life three factors in antipsychotic treatment that are intrinsically linked. The fact that this strong efficacy profile includes an ability to reduce suicidal thinking is a significant benefit and is encouraging news for clinicians who are striving to deliver meaningful results for their patients."

Reducing suicidal thinking key to reducing high suicide rates: These data, from the BOLDER (BipOLar DEpRession) trial1, an eight week, multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 542 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder, showed that SEROQUEL (600 and 300 mg/day) is approximately twice as effective in reducing suicidal ideation by week eight as placebo. The results were analysed using standard clinical scales to assess improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms. Additional results from the BOLDER study showed:

• SEROQUEL (600 and 300 mg/day) significantly improved the core symptoms of depression as early as week one onwards (symptoms include apparent sadness, reported sadness, inability to
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Contact: Sarah Fraser
sarah.fraser@newyork.shirehealth.com
1-212-329-6272
Shire Health International
24-May-2005


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