Mumbai, June 16 (IANS) The US drug administration has approved an anti-depressant drug manufactured by the $694 million pharma major Lupin Ltd for marketing in that country, the company said Monday. In a regulatory intimation, Lupin said the green-signal for its anti-depressant Escitalopram Oxalate tablets was given to its US subsidiary Lupin Pharmaceuticals. The market for the drug is valued at $2.6 billion.

Mumbai-based Lupin manufactures Escitalopram tablets, administered during treatment of major depressive disorders, under the Lexapro brand name.

According to the company, the drug will be introduced through wholesalers and drug stores post-patent expiry in March 2012.

Lupin claimed the introduction of the drug would strengthen its base in the treatment of depression, anxiety and premature ejaculation.

With the approval of Lexapro, Lupin has 30 new drug applications, with another 33 awaiting approval from the US drug administration, the company said.