Greater Prevalence of Anxiety & Depressive Disorders Driving Demand for New Anti-Anxiety Drug Candidates

PALM BEACH, FL, Nov. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary - Anti-anxiety drugs are medications that are used to treat anxiety disorders that are mainly used to relieve anxiety and tension, work by reducing the symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, stress, and panic attacks. A report from PS Market Research projected that the global market for anxiety and depression treatment products is projected to progress at a CAGR of 3.3% through 2030. It said the major factors responsible for the growth of the market include growing geriatric population, rising awareness about mental diseases and their treatment, and increasing number of product approvals. The report said: "With the growing age, individuals go through a number of stress conditions. Some of which are common to all age groups, while some are old-age specific such as loss in capabilities to function properly. In addition, the elder people experience reduced socioeconomic status with retirement, which worsen the situation as it leads to isolation and loneliness. Thus, the older people are more vulnerable toward mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Thus, the rising cases of anxiety and depression in elderly population, across the world, would help the anxiety and depression treatment market growth. The awareness about mental diseases has increased across the world, owing to the increased initiatives taken by private and public healthcare institutions… In recent years, the players in the anxiety and depression treatment industry have indulged themselves in more product launches to offer a better product portfolio than other competitors." Active biotech and pharma companies in the markets this week include Marvel Biosciences Corp. (TSX-V: MRVL), Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE), Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: NERV), atai Life Sciences N.V. (NASDAQ: ATAI), Cybin Inc. (NYSE: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN).

The article added: "Mergers and acquisitions allow pharmaceutical companies to increase their portfolios, expand their reach, and enhance their workflow, in the anxiety and depression treatment market. Also, several key players are involved in mergers and acquisitions to accelerate the pace of drug discovery and development, in order to gain a competitive edge… Thus, these development strategies will create a diverse portfolio of depression and anxiety drugs in the market, leading to more demand for such drugs. Geographically, North America generated the largest share in the anxiety and depression treatment market… and is expected to maintain its position in coming years. This is majorly ascribed to the rise in number of cases of pain, coupled with the greater prevalence of anxiety and major depressive disorders, growth in awareness regarding mental health, high-disposable income, and increase in number of prescriptions for antidepressants, in the region."

Marvel Biosciences Corp. (TSXV: MRVL) BREAKING NEWS: Marvel Biosciences Lead Drug Candidate MB-204 Demonstrated Superior Anti-Anxiety Activity Over FDA-Approved Istradefylline in Head-to-Head Pre-clinical Studies - Marvel Biosciences Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Marvel Biotechnology Inc. (collectively the "Company" or "Marvel"), is pleased to announce that in a pre-clinical test for anxiety, its lead drug candidate MB-204, a fluorinated derivative of Istradefylline, out-performed Istradefylline in a head-to-head pre-clinical and in depressive and anti-anxiety studies. Istradefylline is the only US FDA approved A2a receptor antagonist currently approved to treat Parkinson's disease.

"This head-to-head study suggests MB-204 has a superior anti-anxiety activity compared to its parental molecule Istradefylline," said Dr Mark Williams, Chief Science Officer of Marvel Biosciences. "What was particularly interesting is that the mice treated with MB-204 had more social interactions than mice treated with Istradefylline. Social isolation can compound depression and anxiety, so this is an intriguing finding for MB-204."