The Current Manufacturer of Brand-Name Viibryd
For patients prescribed the brand-name medication, the answer to the question "Who makes Viibryd?" is AbbVie Inc.. This global biopharmaceutical company is responsible for the continued manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of the brand-name product. AbbVie's ownership of Viibryd came through a major acquisition in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2020, AbbVie completed its purchase of Allergan, the company that had previously owned the Viibryd brand. As with many brand-name medications, the story of its ownership is a complex path of corporate mergers and acquisitions.
The Winding Path from Discovery to AbbVie
The development history of vilazodone, the active ingredient in Viibryd, is an excellent case study in the dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry. The drug's origins involved multiple companies taking turns in its development. The chronological ownership of the drug includes the following major steps:
- Merck KGaA: The initial discovery of vilazodone took place at Merck KGaA in Germany.
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): Merck KGaA licensed the compound to GlaxoSmithKline in 2001. However, GSK returned the rights to Merck KGaA after Phase IIb clinical trials did not support further progression.
- Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc.: In 2004, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals acquired the exclusive worldwide license for vilazodone from Merck KGaA.
- Clinical Data, Inc.: This company later acquired Genaissance and successfully guided vilazodone through its final Phase III trials, leading to its FDA approval in January 2011.
- Forest Laboratories: A major turning point occurred in 2011 when Forest Laboratories acquired Clinical Data, Inc., along with the rights to Viibryd. Forest Laboratories then officially launched Viibryd in the United States.
- Allergan (via Actavis): In a series of subsequent mergers, Forest Laboratories was eventually absorbed into what became Allergan, making it the new owner of the brand.
- AbbVie Inc.: The final, and current, ownership transfer happened in 2020 with AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan.
The Rise of Generic Vilazodone
With the expiration of the original Viibryd patent around June 2022, generic versions of the medication, containing the active ingredient vilazodone, became available on the market. This introduced competition and led to a significant decrease in cost for many patients. Today, multiple companies manufacture generic vilazodone. Some of the notable manufacturers of the generic version include:
- Accord Healthcare Inc.
- Alembic Pharmaceuticals
- Apotex Corporation
- InvaGen Pharmaceuticals
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
Brand-Name vs. Generic Vilazodone Manufacturing
When considering medication options, patients and healthcare providers often compare the brand-name and generic versions. While the active ingredient is the same, there are key differences related to the manufacturer and production history, as detailed in the table below.
| Feature | Brand-Name Viibryd | Generic Vilazodone |
|---|---|---|
| Current Manufacturer | AbbVie Inc. | Multiple companies (e.g., Accord Healthcare, Apotex, Teva) |
| Original Developer | Merck KGaA | Developed by Merck KGaA, with rights ultimately used by generic makers post-patent |
| Regulatory Status | FDA-approved since 2011 | FDA-approved as bioequivalent to the brand-name |
| Patent Protection | The original patent expired around June 2022 | Exists after brand-name patent expiration |
| Pricing | Typically higher priced | Generally less expensive |
Conclusion: Understanding Viibryd's Pharmaceutical History
In summary, the answer to who makes Viibryd is not a simple one-word response. While AbbVie Inc. is the current manufacturer of the branded version, the medication’s development involved a relay of pharmaceutical companies, including its discovery by Merck KGaA. Following the brand’s patent expiration, generic versions of vilazodone are now produced by a range of different manufacturers, including Accord, Alembic, and Teva. This history reflects the common reality of drug development and intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical industry. The distinction between the current brand-name manufacturer and the multiple producers of generic versions is an important one for both patients and healthcare professionals to understand.
For more information on the official FDA approval history of Viibryd, visit the Drugs.com FDA Approval History page.
