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A Study of ALKS 5461 for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - FORWARD-5 Study

A Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Study of ALKS 5461 for the Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (the FORWARD-5 Study)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02218008
Enrollment
407
Registered
2014-08-15
Start date
2014-07-31
Completion date
2016-10-31
Last updated
2019-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Major depressive disorder (MDD), depression, Alkermes, ALKS 5461, samidorphan

Brief summary

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ALKS 5461.

Interventions

Sublingual tablet, taken once daily (in addition to open-label treatment with a commercially available antidepressant)

DRUGPlacebo

Sublingual tablet, taken once daily (in addition to open-label treatment with a commercially available antidepressant)

Sponsors

Alkermes, Inc.
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Have a BMI of 18.0 to 40.0 kg/m2, inclusive * Agree to use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of the study * Have an MDD primary diagnosis * Have no more than 2 inadequate responses to antidepressant therapy (ADT) in the current Major Depressive Episode (MDE) * Additional criteria may apply

Exclusion criteria

* Have a current primary Axis-I disorder other than MDD * Have used opioid agonists (eg, codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, morphine) or opioid antagonists (eg, naloxone, naltrexone) within 14 days * Have received electroconvulsive therapy treatment within the last 2 years or received more than one course of electroconvulsive treatment during their lifetime * Have attempted suicide within the past 2 years * Have a positive test for drugs of abuse * Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding * Have a history of intolerance, allergy, or hypersensitivity to buprenorphine or opioid antagonists (eg, naltrexone, naloxone) * Have had a significant blood loss or blood donation within 60 days * Additional criteria may apply

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)Baseline and 5 weeks (Stage 1) and baseline and 6 weeks (Stage 2), combined together for the overall estimate of treatment effectThe MADRS-6 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. The MADRS-6 scale is a subset of the MADRS-10 scale, comprised of the following individual questionnaire items: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, and Pessimistic Thoughts. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 36 (most severe symptoms).
Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.
Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-105-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)The proportion of subjects demonstrating MADRS-10 treatment response, defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS-10 score from baseline to the end of the efficacy period (week 5). The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.
Remission Rate5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)The proportion of subjects achieving remission, defined as a MADRS-10 score of ≤10 at the end of the efficacy period.
Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Countries

Canada, Germany, Puerto Rico, United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Subjects were diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), and had an inadequate response to 1 or 2 adequate courses of treatment with a commercially available antidepressant therapy (ADT) during the current major depressive episode (MDE). All subjects continued ADT for the duration of the study.

Pre-assignment details

This was a Sequential Parallel Comparison Design (SPCD) study comprised of 2 stages. In Stage 1 subjects were randomized to ALKS 5461 or placebo (2:2:9). In Stage 2 only placebo non-responders from Stage 1 were re-randomized to ALKS 5461 or placebo (1:1:1). 1 subject randomized to the placebo group in Stage 1 did not receive any study drug.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
Randomized to placebo in Stage 1
280
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg
Randomized to ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg in Stage 1
63
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg
Randomized to ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg in Stage 1
63
Total406

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002FG003FG004FG005
Stage 1 (S1)Adverse Event6511000
Stage 1 (S1)Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria100000
Stage 1 (S1)Lack of Efficacy300000
Stage 1 (S1)Lost to Follow-up301000
Stage 1 (S1)Non-compliance; drug use100000
Stage 1 (S1)Non-compliance with Study Drug210000
Stage 1 (S1)Pregnancy001000
Stage 1 (S1)Protocol Violation001000
Stage 1 (S1)Withdrawal by Subject611000
Stage 2 (S2)Adverse Event000233
Stage 2 (S2)Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria000100
Stage 2 (S2)Lack of Efficacy000002
Stage 2 (S2)Lost to Follow-up000001
Stage 2 (S2)Withdrawal by Subject000110

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalPlaceboALKS 5461 1mg/1mgALKS 5461 2mg/2mg
Age, Continuous45.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.93
45.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.87
45.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.46
42.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.48
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
67 Participants48 Participants10 Participants9 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
339 Participants232 Participants53 Participants54 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
9 Participants5 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
95 Participants67 Participants17 Participants11 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
301 Participants207 Participants44 Participants50 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Canada
7 Participants5 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Germany
64 Participants46 Participants8 Participants10 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
335 Participants229 Participants54 Participants52 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
277 Participants193 Participants42 Participants42 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
129 Participants87 Participants21 Participants21 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
EG004
affected / at risk
EG005
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 2800 / 630 / 630 / 620 / 620 / 63
other
Total, other adverse events
72 / 28025 / 6328 / 6311 / 626 / 6210 / 63
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 2800 / 632 / 631 / 620 / 620 / 63

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10

The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.

Time frame: 5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Population: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Full Analysis Sets (FAS) consisted of subjects who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline MADRS-10 assessment in the respective stage.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Placebo S1Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-9.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.55
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-10.3 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.19
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-10.8 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.22
Placebo S2Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-1.9 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.96
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-3.4 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.98
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Change From Baseline to End of Treatment in the MADRS-10-3.6 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.98
Comparison: ALKS 5461 is compared to placebo within each of the 2 stages (i.e., ALKS 5461 2/2 S1 vs Placebo S1; and ALKS 5461 2/2 S2 vs Placebo S2). Efficacy was estimated as a weighted average across 2 stages using equal weights.p-value: 0.07695% CI: [-3.6, 0.2]Mixed Models Analysis
Primary

Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)

The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.

Time frame: 5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Population: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Full Analysis Sets (FAS) consisted of subjects who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline MADRS-10 assessment in the respective stage.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Placebo S1Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-8.1 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.48
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-8.8 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.05
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-10.3 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.06
Placebo S2Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-2.1 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.88
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-3.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.91
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Change in MADRS-10 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-3.7 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.9
Comparison: Analysis was conducted for each stage separately and overall efficacy was based on combined stage analysis where stage-specific estimates were combined using pre-specified equal weights. Within each stage ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg was compared to placebo (i.e., ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1 vs Placebo S1; and ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2 vs Placebo S2. The pre-specified order of hypothesis tests was ALKS 5461 2/2 compared to placebo followed by ALKS 5461 1/1 compared to placebo.p-value: 0.02695% CI: [-3.6, -0.2]Mixed Models Analysis
Primary

Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)

The MADRS-6 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. The MADRS-6 scale is a subset of the MADRS-10 scale, comprised of the following individual questionnaire items: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, and Pessimistic Thoughts. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 36 (most severe symptoms).

Time frame: Baseline and 5 weeks (Stage 1) and baseline and 6 weeks (Stage 2), combined together for the overall estimate of treatment effect

Population: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Full Analysis Sets (FAS) consisted of subjects who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline MADRS assessment in the respective stage.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
Placebo S1Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-5.6 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.34
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-6.0 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.74
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-6.8 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.75
Placebo S2Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-1.5 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.65
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-2.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.67
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Change in Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)-6 Score Using Average of Changes From Baseline to Week 3 Through the End of Treatment Period (Week 5 for Stage 1, Week 6 for Stage 2)-3.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.67
Comparison: Analysis was conducted for each stage separately and overall efficacy was based on combined stage analysis where stage-specific estimates were combined using pre-specified equal weights. Within each stage ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg was compared to placebo (i.e., ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1 vs Placebo S1; and ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2 vs Placebo S2. The pre-specified order of hypothesis tests was ALKS 5461 2/2 compared to placebo followed by ALKS 5461 1/1 compared to placebo.p-value: 0.01895% CI: [-2.7, -0.3]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)

Time frame: 5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Population: The safety population includes all subjects who were randomized and received at least 1 dose of study drug.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Placebo S1Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)151 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)37 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)42 Participants
Placebo S2Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)25 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)29 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Number of Subjects With Adverse Events (AEs)25 Participants
Secondary

Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)

The proportion of subjects demonstrating MADRS-10 treatment response, defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in MADRS-10 score from baseline to the end of the efficacy period (week 5). The MADRS-10 scale is a clinician-administered questionnaire comprised of 10 items used to measure the severity of MDD symptoms. Scores range from 0 (no apparent symptoms) to 60 (most severe symptoms). Individual questionnaire items include: Apparent Sadness, Reported Sadness, Inner Tension, Reduced Sleep, Reduced Appetite, Concentration Difficulties, Lassitude, Inability to Feel, Pessimistic Thoughts, and Suicidal Thoughts.

Time frame: 5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Population: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Full Analysis Sets (FAS) consisted of subjects who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline MADRS-10 assessment in the respective stage.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Placebo S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes61 Participants
Placebo S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No212 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes17 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No45 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes16 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No47 Participants
Placebo S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes7 Participants
Placebo S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No53 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes7 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No55 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)Yes6 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Proportion of Patients Who Exhibited Treatment Response (MADRS-10)No57 Participants
Secondary

Remission Rate

The proportion of subjects achieving remission, defined as a MADRS-10 score of ≤10 at the end of the efficacy period.

Time frame: 5-6 Weeks (5 weeks for Stage 1 and 6 weeks for Stage 2)

Population: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Full Analysis Sets (FAS) consisted of subjects who were randomized and took at least 1 dose of study drug and had at least 1 postbaseline MADRS-10 (or HAM-D17) assessment in the respective stage.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Placebo S1Remission RateNo242 Participants
Placebo S1Remission RateYes31 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Remission RateNo54 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S1Remission RateYes8 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Remission RateNo55 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S1Remission RateYes8 Participants
Placebo S2Remission RateYes4 Participants
Placebo S2Remission RateNo56 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Remission RateYes6 Participants
ALKS 5461 1mg/1mg S2Remission RateNo56 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Remission RateNo58 Participants
ALKS 5461 2mg/2mg S2Remission RateYes5 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026