FDA CANCELS MEETING ON WYETH'S DEPRESSION DRUG

Wyeth was notified by the FDA of the agency's decision to cancel its Sept. 7 meeting with the Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee. The meeting was originally scheduled to provide a forum for FDA advisors to discuss and review data included in Wyeth's new drug application for desvenlafaxine succinate extended-release formulation for the treatment of major depressive disorder.

After further review of the data, the FDA decided it was no longer necessary to hold the advisory committee meeting before issuing its action letter, which is expected in October.

Wyeth believes that the clinical trials data supports the drug's approval. The company submitted its application for desvenlafaxine succinate, a dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in December 2005.