A Placebo- and Paroxetine-controlled Study of the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Agomelatine (25 or 50 mg) in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female adults, 18 through 70 years of age, inclusive * Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-IV criteria * HAM-D17 total score \> or = 22 at Screening and Baseline Exclusion Criteria: * History of non-response to paroxetine * Patients who have been previously treated with agomelatine * History of bipolar disorder (I or II), schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, eating disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder * Any current Axis I disorder other than major depressive disorder which is the focus of treatment * Substance or alcohol abuse in the last 30 days, dependence in the last 6 months * Use of any psychoactive medication after the screening visit * Female patients of childbearing potential who are not using effective contraception Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply