The Russian Ministry of Health has registered Maritupirdin, a new drug for the treatment of anxiety disorders, which is notable for its multi-target activity offering both anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects, according to Elena Yakubova, Medical Director of KhimRar Group, in an exclusive interview on the Nauka program aired on Rossiya 24.
«This unique substance, synthesized in limited quantities by our chemists, has its own chemical formula. Our medical chemists first use a computer model to determine whether a spatial chemical structure will match a biotarget, like a key fitting a lock. In the second stage, we develop additional innovative molecular structures, unique and unprecedented», Yakubova explained.
For over a year, Maritupirdin has been undergoing tests in collaboration with Sechenov University, with ongoing research examining its effectiveness not only for depressive disorders but also for panic attacks.
Anxiety disorders and depression rank among the most prevalent mental illnesses globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that at least 10% of the population suffers from these conditions. However, the true figure may be significantly higher due to undiagnosed cases. Research indicates that five of the ten leading causes of disability in many countries are linked to mental and behavioral disorders.
In Russia, the Ministry of Health reports that anxiety and depressive disorders affect 15-20% of the adult population, with nearly 4 million Russians suffering from mental disorders in 2024. Two-thirds of these cases are attributed to depression and anxiety disorders.
