Neuroscience

We aim to strengthen our position in neuroscience through further growth of Seroquel and Seroquel XR and by the successful introduction of a range of new medicines aimed at significant medical need in psychiatry, analgesia (pain control) and cognition (including Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive disorders in schizophrenia).

Medical need

The medical need continues to be significant in many areas:

Depression and anxiety disorders remain under-diagnosed and under-treated, with 15% of the population suffering from major depression on at least one occasion in their lives.

Schizophrenia affects around 1% of the population, and 17 million people suffer from bipolar disorder across the major markets.

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 24 million people worldwide today, with this number predicted to reach 40 million by 2020. Further, current therapy has a modest symptomatic effect and does not significantly modify the course of this progressive neurodegenerative disorder.

Chronic pain, which affects over 20% of the population, is a significant medical need, with pain management the most common reason for seeking medical care.