转自：新华财经 新华财经北京12月16日电（梁怡） 近日，由首都医科大学附属北京安定医院、美国ZAP手术系统公司与北京脑安医疗科技有限公司联合主办的"抑郁症精准 放射调控疗法研究项目"启动发布会在京召开。现场多名与会人士向新华财经表示，该项目旨在推动以ZAP-X系统为代表的新一代精准放射技术治疗抑郁症 的临床研究与应用突破，目前正处于临床研究阶段，正在围绕安全性与有效性进行验证。 抑郁症作为全球最常见的精神障碍之一，据世界卫生组织统计，全球大约有3.32亿人患有抑郁症，相关数据统计显示，我国有9000多万人患有"抑郁障碍"， 其中需要治疗的"抑郁症"发作期患者1000万-1200万。 目前，抗抑郁药是最主要的治疗手段，但存在疗效有限且复发率高、副作用明显等挑战。近年来，无创神经调控技术为抑郁症治疗尤其是难治性抑郁症 （TRD）提供了新兴解决方案，相关医学团队、高校以及企业不断加大技术研究和产业化力度，随着技术成熟度提升与政策支持深化，其临床价值与市场潜 力将持续释放。 目前，常规药物治疗是治疗抑郁症的主要方法，尤其以单胺类药物为主导。西南证券研报指出，SSRIs与SNRIs类合计占据国内六成市场份额。2024 ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the antidepressant drug industry Core Insights - Depression disorders are the most common mental disorders, characterized by persistent low mood, loss of pleasure, and decreased energy. The etiology remains unclear, with various hypotheses including the monoamine hypothesis and glutamatergic system abnormalities [5][23] - There are unmet clinical needs in depression treatment, including limited efficacy of current first-line antidepressants, slow onset of action, and the need for precision treatment for different subtypes and special populations [5][27] - The current market for antidepressants in China is substantial, with over 8 billion yuan in hospital sales, where SSRIs and SNRIs account for approximately 60% of the market share [5][6] - New drug development is focusing on deepening monoamine research, exploring amino acid classes, and other mechanisms, with a gradual entry into a harvest period for innovative drugs [5][6] Summary by Sections Unmet Clinical Needs - Current first-line antidepressants like SSRIs have limited efficacy, with about one-third of patients not achieving remission after multiple treatment steps [27] - The onset of current antidepressants is slow, typically requiring 1-4 weeks for initial improvement and 4-8 weeks to reach treatment goals, posing risks for patients during acute phases [27][28] - There is a need for precision treatment for different subtypes of depression and special populations such as children and the elderly [27] Market Overview - The antidepressant market in China saw over 8 billion yuan in sales, with SSRIs leading at 3.58 billion yuan (43.44% market share) and SNRIs at 1.42 billion yuan (17.18% market share) [5][6] - The top-selling antidepressants include escitalopram oxalate, agomelatine, and sertraline [5] Drug Development Trends - The report highlights ongoing research into monoamine neurotransmitter drugs, with 128 clinical-stage products targeting various mechanisms [5][6] - Innovative drugs are gradually entering the market, with one local innovative drug already launched and over twenty in clinical trials [5][6]

Summary of Key Points from Conference Call on Antidepressant Drugs Industry Overview - The conference discusses the antidepressant drug industry, focusing on the clinical challenges and drug development landscape for treating depression, a prevalent mental health disorder with unclear pathophysiology [1][2]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Clinical Pain Points**: Current mainstream antidepressants face significant clinical challenges, including: - **Ineffective Treatment**: Approximately 60% efficacy rate, meaning not all patients can effectively control symptoms [7]. - **Slow Onset of Action**: Most existing antidepressants take 1-2 weeks or longer to show effects, which is particularly distressing for severe patients [7]. - **Safety Concerns**: Long-term use can lead to side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and negative impacts on sleep quality [7][4]. - **Drug Development Challenges**: The slow iteration of psychiatric drugs is attributed to: - Lack of significant breakthroughs in understanding the mechanisms of mental illnesses [5]. - High failure rates in new drug development, leading to reduced investment from pharmaceutical companies in the CNS (central nervous system) sector [5] [6]. - **Current Drug Landscape**: - New drugs like **Trazodone** and **S-ketamine nasal spray** have been introduced, with Trazodone being a novel antidepressant developed by Shandong Green Leaf, which acts on serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine [2]. - S-ketamine has been successful in overseas markets due to its rapid onset but faces strict regulations in China due to its classification as a controlled substance [10][14]. - **Market Potential**: - Treatment for moderate to severe depression has greater market potential, as approximately 40%-50% of patients fall into this category, while treatment-resistant depression accounts for about 20%-30% of cases [15]. Important but Overlooked Content - **Clinical Trial Design**: Antidepressant clinical trials primarily rely on subjective scale results for efficacy evaluation, which can lead to high placebo effects, especially in mild to moderate depression cases [12][13]. - **Patient Considerations**: Clinicians must consider various factors when selecting treatment, including the severity of the patient's condition, suicidal ideation, age, and potential drug interactions [8][9]. - **Future Opportunities**: The potential for a new oral antidepressant with similar efficacy to S-ketamine but with fewer side effects could present significant market opportunities, contingent on successful development [11]. Conclusion - The antidepressant drug industry is at a critical juncture, facing significant clinical challenges and development hurdles. However, there is a notable market opportunity for innovative treatments targeting moderate to severe depression, particularly if they can address the current limitations of existing therapies.