Skip to content

A Study of Aticaprant 10 Milligrams (mg) as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants With MDD With Moderate-to-severe Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy

A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Aticaprant 10 mg as Adjunctive Therapy in Adult Participants With Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Moderate-to-severe Anhedonia and Inadequate Response to Current Antidepressant Therapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05550532
Acronym
VENTURA-2
Enrollment
444
Registered
2022-09-22
Start date
2022-12-06
Completion date
2024-11-13
Last updated
2026-02-13

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

Conditions

Anhedonia, Depressive Disorder, Major

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of aticaprant compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy to an antidepressant in improving depressive symptoms in adult participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) with moderate to severe anhedonia (ANH+) who have had an inadequate response to current antidepressant therapy with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Detailed description

Depression is a common and serious psychiatric disorder which is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with elevated mortality and suicide risk. Aticaprant (JNJ-67953964) is a once daily, highly selective kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist, with demonstrated selectivity over mu opioid receptor (MOR) and delta opioid receptor (DOR) being developed for adjunctive treatment of MDD with ANH+. The total duration of the study will be up to 87 days. Safety evaluation including adverse events, physical examinations, urine drug test, alcohol breath tests and clinical laboratory tests will be assessed at specific time points during this study.

Interventions

Aticaprant tablet will be administered orally.

OTHERPlacebo

Placebo tablet will be administered orally.

Sponsors

Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 74 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Be medically stable on the basis of physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) performed at screening and baseline * Have a Hamilton depression rating Scale 17 item (HDRS-17) total score of 20 or higher at the first and second screening interviews and must not demonstrate a clinically significant improvement (that is, an improvement of more than 20 percent \[%\] on their HDRS-17 total score) between the first and the second independent HDRS-17 assessments * Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for recurrent or single episode major depressive disorder (MDD), without psychotic features, based upon clinical assessment and confirmed by the structural interview for DSM-5 Axis I disorders-clinical trials version (SCID-CT). Participants 65 years of age or older must have had the first onset of depression prior to 55 years of age * Is currently receiving and tolerating well any one of the following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for depressive symptoms at screening, in any approved formulation and available in the participating country/territory: citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine at a stable dose (at or above the minimum therapeutic dose per Massachusetts General Hospital Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire \[MGH-ATRQ\] for at least 6 weeks. The current antidepressant cannot be the first antidepressant treatment for the first lifetime episode of depression * Participant's current major depressive episode, and antidepressant treatment response in the current depressive episode, must all be confirmed by the Site Independent Qualification Assessment

Exclusion criteria

* Have had in the current depressive episode, no response (treatment failure) to 5 or more antidepressant treatments including the current SSRI/SNRI (that is, the one presumed to be continued in the treatment phase) assessed using the MGH-ATRQ * Has a history or evidence of clinically meaningful noncompliance with current antidepressant therapy * Has a history of moderate-to-severe substance use disorder including alcohol use disorder according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) criteria within 6 months before screening * Has had in the current episode an inadequate response to adequate course of intravenous or intranasal ketamine or esketamine, electroconvulsive therapy (that is, at least 7 treatments), vagal nerve stimulation, or deep brain stimulation device * Has current, or a history (past 6 months), of seizures * Has a current homicidal ideation/intent, per the investigator's clinical judgment, or has suicidal ideation with some intent to act within 3 months prior to the start of the Screening Phase, per the investigator's clinical judgment or based on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), corresponding to a response of "Yes" on Item 4 (active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan) or Item 5 (active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent), or a history of suicidal behavior within the past 6 months prior to the start of the Screening Phase. Participants reporting suicidal ideation with intent to act or suicidal behavior at baseline should be excluded * Has one or more of the following diagnoses: a) A diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5th edition (DSM-5) diagnosis (which has been the primary focus of psychiatric treatment within the past 2 years) of any of the following: panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder social anxiety disorder, specific phobia; b) A current (in the past year) DSM-5 diagnosis of: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa; c) A current or prior (lifetime) DSM-5 diagnosis of: a psychotic disorder or major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features, bipolar or related disorders, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorders, somatoform disorders

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total ScoreBaseline (Day 1) to Day 43The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total ScoreBaseline (Day 1) to Day 43The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (range of 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.
Change From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreBaseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43Change from baseline over time in MADRS total score is reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.
Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43At Day 43Percentage of participants who achieved response on depressive symptoms scale based on MADRS total score at Day 43 are reported. Responders are defined as participants with a \>=50 percent (%) improvement in the MADRS total score from baseline to a given timepoint. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.
Percentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43At Day 43Percentage of participants with remission of depressive symptoms based on MADRS total score at Day 43 is reported. Participant is defined as a remitter at a given time point if the MADRS total score is less than or equal to (\<=)10 at that time point. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total ScoreBaseline (Day 1) to Day 43Change from baseline to Day 43 in PHQ-9 total score is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). Negative changes in PHQ-9 total score indicate improvement.
Change From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreBaseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43Change from baseline over time in DARS total score is reported. The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (range of 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.
Change From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Baseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43Change from baseline over time in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). PHQ-9, item 1 score ranged from 0-3. Higher score indicates more severe disease. Negative change in PHQ-9, item 1 score indicates improvement.
Percentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 43At Day 43Percentage of participants with a score \<2 in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) at Day 43 is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27).
Change From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43Change from baseline over time in the PROMIS-APS 8a is reported. This 8-item measure assesses participants' ability to participate in social roles and activities. The items measures the degree of involvement in social roles, activities, and responsibilities, including work, family, friends, and leisure. Each item is rated on a 5-point ordinal scale including 1=always, 2=usually, 3=sometimes, 4=rarely and 5=never, with higher scores indicating better social functioning. The total scores of PROMIS-APS 8a are scaled on a T-score metric with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. PROMIS-APS 8a total score ranges from 8 to 40 and T-score ranges from 25.9 to 65.4, a higher score indicates better social functioning. Positive change in score indicates improvement.
DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)From start of treatment (Day 1) up to Day 43Percentage of participants with TEAEs during DB treatment phase are reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention. TEAE is defined as any AE occurring at or after the initial administration of study intervention through the end of DB phase.
Follow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEsFrom Day 44 up to Day 57Percentage of participants with AEs during FU phase are reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention.

Countries

Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia, France, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Contacts

STUDY_DIRECTORJanssen Research & Development, LLC Clinical Trial

Janssen Research & Development, LLC

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Adult participants aged 18 to 64 years who had major depressive disorder (MDD) with or without moderate-to-severe anhedonia (ANH+ or ANH-) and elderly participants aged 65 to 74 years with MDD (ANH+ and ANH-) who had an inadequate response to an ongoing antidepressant therapy were randomized in the study.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
During DB treatment phase, participants received placebo matching to aticaprant tablet orally once daily from Day 1 to Day 42 in addition to the ongoing antidepressant therapy (SSRI/SNRI). Participants were then followed up for safety up to 7 to 14 days after end of DB phase at Day 43 (up to Day 57). Participants who completed the DB phase (at Day 43) and were compliant to the study intervention were eligible to participate in a separate 52-week open-label long-term safety study 67953964MDD3003 (NCT05518149).
223
Aticaprant 10 mg
During DB treatment phase, participants received aticaprant 10 mg tablet orally once daily from Day 1 to Day 42 in addition to the ongoing antidepressant therapy (SSRI/SNRI). Participants were then followed up for safety up to 7 to 14 days after end of DB phase at Day 43 (up to Day 57). Participants who completed the DB phase (at Day 43) and were compliant to the study intervention were eligible to participate in a separate 52-week open-label long-term safety study 67953964MDD3003 (NCT05518149).
217
Total440

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlaceboAticaprant 10 mgTotal
Age, Continuous49.3 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.11
49.1 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.14
49.2 Years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.11
Age, Customized
Adults (18-64 years)
200 Participants192 Participants392 Participants
Age, Customized
From 65 to 74 years
23 Participants25 Participants48 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
74 Participants74 Participants148 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
141 Participants137 Participants278 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
8 Participants6 Participants14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
15 Participants16 Participants31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
9 Participants9 Participants18 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
2 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
2 Participants1 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
13 Participants11 Participants24 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
182 Participants177 Participants359 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Argentina
35 Participants37 Participants72 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Brazil
8 Participants4 Participants12 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Bulgaria
9 Participants9 Participants18 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Czech Republic
11 Participants7 Participants18 Participants
Region of Enrollment
France
10 Participants10 Participants20 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Korea, Republic of
9 Participants10 Participants19 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Poland
13 Participants14 Participants27 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Slovakia
19 Participants17 Participants36 Participants
Region of Enrollment
South Africa
12 Participants14 Participants26 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Taiwan
3 Participants2 Participants5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United Kingdom
4 Participants5 Participants9 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
90 Participants88 Participants178 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
168 Participants161 Participants329 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
55 Participants56 Participants111 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 2250 / 2190 / 210 / 18
other
Total, other adverse events
18 / 22339 / 2170 / 211 / 18
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 2230 / 2170 / 210 / 18

Outcome results

Primary

Change From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score

The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in rest of the world (ROW; countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies number of participants evaluable for this outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score-9.4 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.96
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline to Day 43 in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score-10.0 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.96
p-value: =0.6795% CI: [-2.95, 1.9]Mixed Model for Repeated Measures Model
Secondary

Change From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total Score

Change from baseline over time in DARS total score is reported. The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (range of 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies participants evaluable for this outcome measure and 'n' (number analyzed) signifies number of participants who were analyzed at specified timepoints.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 153.5 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.17
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 296.9 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.27
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 438.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.39
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 297.1 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.27
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 154.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.17
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in DARS Total ScoreDay 438.8 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.39
Secondary

Change From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total Score

Change from baseline over time in MADRS total score is reported. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies participants evaluable for this outcome measure and 'n' (number analyzed) signifies number of participants analyzed at specified timepoints.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 43-9.4 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.96
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 15-4.4 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.75
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 29-7.5 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.89
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 43-10.0 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.96
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 15-5.4 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.74
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in MADRS Total ScoreDay 29-8.0 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.89
Secondary

Change From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)

Change from baseline over time in the PROMIS-APS 8a is reported. This 8-item measure assesses participants' ability to participate in social roles and activities. The items measures the degree of involvement in social roles, activities, and responsibilities, including work, family, friends, and leisure. Each item is rated on a 5-point ordinal scale including 1=always, 2=usually, 3=sometimes, 4=rarely and 5=never, with higher scores indicating better social functioning. The total scores of PROMIS-APS 8a are scaled on a T-score metric with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. PROMIS-APS 8a total score ranges from 8 to 40 and T-score ranges from 25.9 to 65.4, a higher score indicates better social functioning. Positive change in score indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Days 15, 29, and 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies participants evaluable for this outcome measure and 'n' (number analyzed) signifies number of participants analyzed at specified timepoints.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 151.4 T-scoreStandard Error 0.54
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 293.2 T-scoreStandard Error 0.57
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 433.9 T-scoreStandard Error 0.63
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 151.5 T-scoreStandard Error 0.55
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 293.1 T-scoreStandard Error 0.59
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form - Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities - 8a (PROMIS-APS 8a)Day 434.3 T-scoreStandard Error 0.64
Secondary

Change From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)

Change from baseline over time in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). PHQ-9, item 1 score ranged from 0-3. Higher score indicates more severe disease. Negative change in PHQ-9, item 1 score indicates improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), Day 15, Day 29, and Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies participants evaluable for this outcome measure and 'n' (number analyzed) signifies number of participants who were analyzed at specified timepoints.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 15-0.4 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.93
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 29-0.7 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1
PlaceboChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 43-0.9 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.12
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 15-0.6 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.08
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 29-0.8 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.05
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline Over Time in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1)Day 43-0.9 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.08
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score

The DARS is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that is designed to assess anhedonia in MDD across the 4 domains: hobbies, social activities, food/drink, and sensory experience. The DARS scale measures desire, motivation, effort, and consummatory pleasure. The DARS is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 1=slightly, 2=moderately, 3=mostly, 4=very much) and responses are summed to generate the total score (range of 0 to 68). A lower total score is indicative of greater anhedonia. Positive changes in DARS total score indicate improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies number of participants evaluable for this outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score8.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.39
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline to Day 43 in Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) Total Score8.8 Units on a scaleStandard Error 1.39
Secondary

Change From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score

Change from baseline to Day 43 in PHQ-9 total score is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27). Negative changes in PHQ-9 total score indicate improvement.

Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) to Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies number of participants evaluable for this outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score-5.5 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.58
Aticaprant 10 mgChange From Baseline to Day 43 in Patient Health Questionnaire, 9-Item (PHQ-9) Total Score-5.2 Units on a scaleStandard Error 0.58
95% CI: [-1.13, 1.71]
Secondary

DB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)

Percentage of participants with TEAEs during DB treatment phase are reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention. TEAE is defined as any AE occurring at or after the initial administration of study intervention through the end of DB phase.

Time frame: From start of treatment (Day 1) up to Day 43

Population: Safety analysis set included all randomized participants (adults and elderly) in ROW (countries/territories other than China) who received at least 1 dose of study intervention.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboDB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)38.1 Percentage of participants
Aticaprant 10 mgDB Treatment Phase: Percentage of Participants With Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)44.2 Percentage of participants
Secondary

Follow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs

Percentage of participants with AEs during FU phase are reported. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant administered a medicinal (investigational or non-investigational) product. An AE does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the intervention.

Time frame: From Day 44 up to Day 57

Population: Follow-up analysis set included all randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) who entered the follow-up phase after the double-blind treatment phase.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboFollow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs0 Percentage of participants
Aticaprant 10 mgFollow-up (FU) Phase: Percentage of Participants With AEs5.6 Percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43

Percentage of participants who achieved response on depressive symptoms scale based on MADRS total score at Day 43 are reported. Responders are defined as participants with a \>=50 percent (%) improvement in the MADRS total score from baseline to a given timepoint. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

Time frame: At Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboPercentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 4328.3 Percentage of participants
Aticaprant 10 mgPercentage of Participants Who Achieved Response on Depressive Symptoms Scale Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 4327.9 Percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 43

Percentage of participants with a score \<2 in the PHQ-9 anhedonia-specific item (PHQ-9, item 1 is little interest or pleasure in doing things) at Day 43 is reported. The PHQ-9 is a 9-item, participant reported outcome measure to assess depressive symptoms. The scale scores each of the 9 symptom domains of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) MDD criteria. Each item is rated on a 4 point scale (0=not at all, 1=several days, 2=more than half the days, and 3=nearly every day). The participant's item responses are summed to provide a total score (range of 0 to 27), with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms. The severity of the PHQ-9 is categorized as follows: none-minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10-14), moderately severe (15-19) and severe (20-27).

Time frame: At Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention. Here, 'N' (overall number of participants analyzed) signifies number of participants evaluable for this outcome measure.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboPercentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 4350.8 Percentage of participants
Aticaprant 10 mgPercentage of Participants With a Score Less Than (<) 2 in the PHQ-9 Anhedonia-specific Item (PHQ-9, Item 1) at Day 4346.3 Percentage of participants
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 43

Percentage of participants with remission of depressive symptoms based on MADRS total score at Day 43 is reported. Participant is defined as a remitter at a given time point if the MADRS total score is less than or equal to (\<=)10 at that time point. The MADRS is a clinician-rated scale designed to measure depression severity and detect changes due to antidepressant treatment. The scale consists of 10 items (apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts), each of which is scored from 0 (item not present or normal) to 6 (severe or continuous presence of symptoms). MADRS total score is the sum of scores from individual question items, which ranges from 0 to 60; higher scores represent a more severe condition. Negative change in MADRS total score indicates improvement.

Time frame: At Day 43

Population: Full analysis set (ANH+) included all adult randomized participants in ROW (countries/territories other than China) with MDD ANH+ who received at least 1 dose of study intervention.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
PlaceboPercentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 4316.3 Percentage of participants
Aticaprant 10 mgPercentage of Participants With Remission of Depressive Symptoms Based on MADRS Total Score at Day 4315.8 Percentage of participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 14, 2026