From idea to drug candidate
Lundbeck has research units in Denmark, China and the United States. The basis for a new and innovative drug is deep insight into the disorder itself and into the unmet needs of patients. The process takes between three and five years, during which researchers work on identifying where in the human organism a new drug should act and on testing substances for efficacy, side effects and toxicity. If a substance passes all of these tests, it becomes a drug candidate.

From candidate to approved drug
Lundbeck conducts the developmental activities that are necessary for a drug to be approved in some 40 countries around the world. First, a substance is tested in healthy persons for its tolerability, assimilation and distribution in the body. Following this, its efficacy and side effect profiles are tested in a small group of patients. In the third and decisive phase, the drug is tested in a large group of patients. Developing a new drug is very demanding, and normally takes between 8 and 10 years.

Production of drugs
A drug must have proven safety and efficacy. It must also be possible to produce it in large amounts and in a form that enables patients to take the drug and assimilate it optimally in the body. Lundbeck manufactures its own drugs in Italy, France and Denmark. Lundbeck also collaborates with a number of other companies on various phases of the production process, ranging from supply of raw materials and semi-finished products, to pharmaceutical production and packing of the drugs.

Distribution of drugs
Lundbeck’s drugs are registered in more than 100 countries. Lundbeck’s own representatives are responsible for providing information on Lundbeck products in 57 countries. As Lundbeck products are prescription drugs, doctors must decide when patients will benefit from them. Lundbeck provides information on its products through publications in scientific journals, participation in scientific conferences, and through meetings with doctors and specialists.