Health care giant Pfizer (PFE -0.19%) released a press statement Thursday announcing that its drug for major depressive disorder (MDD), Pristiq, successfully hit its endpoints in a phase 4 clinical trial. The drug proved more effective in treating patients as compared to a placebo over an eight-week period.

The FDA originally approved Pristiq for treatment of MDD back in 2008. This latest study lends more credence to the efficacy of the extended-release version of the drug.

"We continue to study PRISTIQ in order to provide clinicians with more information that can better guide their treatment decisions for MDD patients," Dr. Steven J. Romano, senior vice president and head of the Medicines Development Group of Pfizer's Global Primary Care Business Unit, was quoted as saying in the company press release.

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